bell-bottoms

plural noun

bell-bot·​toms ˈbel-ˈbä-təmz How to pronounce bell-bottoms (audio)
: pants with wide flaring bottoms
bell-bottom adjective

Examples of bell-bottoms in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Eagles, who sold more than a hundred and fifty million albums, rode a tide of surly melancholy and bell-bottom jeans much further than anyone expected, and Henley viewed himself not merely as a celebrity with lawyers on call but as a troubadour in the heroic tradition. Tad Friend, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024 Instead of swinging bell-bottoms, the key is to opt for a loose, baggy fit similar to the denim shapes du jour. Emma Spedding, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2024 Dressed in 7-inch neon heels and translucent yellow bell-bottoms, Mary Serritella was defying gravity and expectations on a recent Wednesday night at Hollywood’s Bourbon Room. Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024 Instead of swinging bell-bottoms, the key is to opt for a loose, baggy fit similar to the wide-leg jeans that are so popular right now. Emma Spedding, Glamour, 8 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bell-bottoms 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bell-bottoms.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bell-bottoms was in 1904

Dictionary Entries Near bell-bottoms

Cite this Entry

“Bell-bottoms.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bell-bottoms. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

bell-bottoms

plural noun
bell-bot·​toms
ˈbel-ˈbät-əmz
: pants with legs that widen out at the bottom
bell-bottom adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on bell-bottoms

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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