bikini

¹

[bih-kee-nee]

noun

plural

bikinis 

1. a very brief, close-fitting, two-piece bathing suit for women or girls.

2. a very brief, close-fitting pair of bathing trunks for men or boys.

3. Often bikinis. underwear briefs that are fitted low on the hip or below it.

Bikini

²

[bih-kee-nee]

noun

1. an atoll in the N Pacific, in the Marshall Islands: atomic bomb tests 1946. 3 sq. mi. (8 sq. km).

Bikini

¹

/ bɪˈkiːnɪ /

noun

1. an atoll in the N Pacific; one of the Marshall Islands: site of a US atomic-bomb test in 1946

bikini

²

/ bɪˈkiːnɪ /

noun

1. a woman's very brief two-piece swimming costume

Word History and Origins

Origin of Bikini¹

1945–50; < French, apparently named after Bikini

Word History and Origins

Origin of Bikini¹

C20: after Bikini atoll, from a comparison between the devastating effect of the atomic-bomb test and the effect caused by women wearing bikinis

Example Sentences

"On Love Island I never wore the thong bikinis and now I'm like 'Why didn't I do that?"

From BBC

Or: ‘I keep telling my daughter she has to change her outfit and delete her bikini selfies, but she won’t listen to me — what should I do?’

From Salon

Hooters is also discontinuing weekly bikini nights and emphasizing charitable initiatives such as “Wings for Children” and partnerships with veterans’ organizations.

From Salon

"I am literally going to apply this fake tan all over my bikini top," Jemma Violet says, as she smears chocolate brown mousse over her chest, neck and halter-neck bikini.

From BBC

I even got to show off some of my Pilates instructor moves in my bikini.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bra 
• corset 
• lingerie 
• shorts 
• undergarment 
• underpants 
• undershirt