bra
A bra is a piece of clothing that women wear under their shirts to support their breasts.
Explanation at your level:
A bra is clothing. You wear it under your shirt. It helps your body feel comfortable. Most women wear one every day.
When you go to a clothing store, you can buy a bra. They come in many sizes and colors. It is important to find the right size for comfort.
A bra is an essential undergarment. People often look for specific styles, like a sports bra for exercise or a lace bra for special occasions. Finding a good fit is a common topic of conversation among friends.
The term bra is the standard, everyday word for this garment. While fashion brands might use more elegant terms like lingerie in advertisements, bra remains the most direct and commonly understood term in English-speaking countries.
In contemporary discourse, the bra has transitioned from a purely functional item to a symbol of body image and social norms. Historical discussions often reference the 'bra-burning' era of the 1960s as a pivotal moment in the history of women's liberation and fashion.
Etymologically, the transition from the French brassière to the English bra illustrates the linguistic process of abbreviation. Culturally, the garment is a focal point for debates regarding comfort, aesthetic standards, and the evolution of the female silhouette in Western fashion history.
Word in 30 Seconds
- It is an undergarment.
- Shortened from brassiere.
- Commonly used word.
- Neutral register.
The word bra is a shortened version of the older term brassiere. It is a fundamental piece of clothing found in almost every wardrobe worldwide. Its primary purpose is to provide physical support and comfort throughout the day.
You will find that bra is used in many different contexts, from shopping for clothing to discussing health and comfort. It is a very common word in daily life, though it is considered a personal item, so discussions about it are usually kept within private or retail settings.
The word bra comes from the French word brassière, which originally referred to a type of child's bodice or a soldier's armor. Over time, the meaning shifted significantly in the early 20th century to describe the garment we recognize today.
The term was popularized in the United States around the 1930s. It is a classic example of clipping in linguistics, where a longer word is shortened to make it easier to say in everyday conversation. This evolution reflects how fashion terminology often simplifies as items become more common.
When talking about a bra, you will often hear it paired with words like fitting, size, or strap. It is a neutral, everyday term. You might say, 'I need to go buy a new bra' or 'This bra is very comfortable.'
Because it is a personal item, the register is usually casual or semi-formal. In a professional retail setting, sales associates might use more technical terms like lingerie or foundation garment to sound more formal or sophisticated.
While there aren't many common idioms featuring the word 'bra', it appears in cultural phrases.
- Burn your bra: Refers to the 1960s feminist movement.
- Bra strap showing: A common phrase regarding fashion etiquette.
- Sports bra: A specific type of high-support garment.
- Strapless bra: A design without shoulder straps.
- Push-up bra: A design intended to enhance cleavage.
The word bra is a countable noun. You can have one bra or many bras. In terms of pronunciation, the American English IPA is /brɑ/ and the British English IPA is /brɑː/.
It rhymes with words like spa, ma, and pa. The stress is always on the single syllable. When using it in a sentence, it acts like any other common noun, requiring articles like 'a', 'the', or 'my'.
Fun Fact
It was originally a child's garment.
Pronunciation Guide
Long 'ah' sound.
Short 'ah' sound.
Common Errors
- pronouncing it like 'bray'
- adding an 's' sound at the end
- misplacing the stress
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
easy
easy
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Plural nouns
bra -> bras
Examples by Level
She bought a new bra.
She (subject) bought (verb) a new bra (object).
Simple past tense.
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I need to buy a comfortable bra.
She is looking for a black bra.
This bra is too small.
Where can I find a bra?
She put on her bra.
He helped her pick a bra.
The bra is in the drawer.
She washed her bra.
I prefer wearing a sports bra at the gym.
It is hard to find a bra that fits perfectly.
She adjusted her bra strap.
They sell a wide variety of bras at this store.
She forgot her bra at the hotel.
The price of the bra was reasonable.
She decided to buy a strapless bra.
He bought a gift card for a bra store.
Many women find it difficult to find a bra that offers both support and comfort.
The brand launched a new line of sustainable bras.
She felt self-conscious because her bra strap was visible.
The store offers professional bra fittings.
Choosing the right bra can significantly improve your posture.
She was looking for a high-impact sports bra.
The bra was made of delicate lace.
They debated the necessity of wearing a bra.
The history of the bra is closely tied to the evolution of women's fashion in the 20th century.
She opted for a wireless bra for maximum comfort.
The marketing campaign for the new bra collection focused on body positivity.
Finding a well-fitted bra is often a matter of trial and error.
The bra-burning protests remain a significant cultural touchstone.
She felt liberated after discarding her restrictive bra.
The store specializes in luxury bras and lingerie.
A properly fitted bra can transform one's silhouette.
The cultural significance of the bra has been analyzed extensively by fashion historians.
The garment's design has undergone radical transformations since its inception.
She sought a bespoke bra that would accommodate her specific needs.
The discourse surrounding the bra often intersects with broader societal views on modesty.
Her collection of vintage bras was quite extensive.
The evolution of the bra reflects changing attitudes toward the female body.
She found the architectural structure of the bra fascinating.
The bra is a ubiquitous yet often misunderstood item of apparel.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"burn your bra"
A symbol of women's liberation.
She felt like she wanted to burn her bra.
casualEasily Confused
similar spelling
restaurant vs clothing
I ate at a brasserie; I bought a bra.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + bought + a + bra
She bought a bra.
Word Family
Nouns
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Brasserie is a French restaurant.
Tips
Rhyme it
Rhymes with spa.
Keep it polite
Use in appropriate context.
History
Shortened from brassiere.
Plural
Add 's'.
Sound
Clear 'ah' sound.
Spelling
Don't write brasserie.
Origin
French roots.
Word lists
Group with clothing.
Etiquette
Private topic.
Articles
Always use 'a' or 'the'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
B-R-A: Body Relief Apparatus.
Visual Association
A clothing hanger.
Word Web
Challenge
Describe the types of bras you know.
Word Origin
French
Original meaning: Bodice or soldier's armor
Cultural Context
Personal item, keep conversation polite.
Commonly used in retail and daily life.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Shopping
- What is my size?
- Do you have this in black?
- I need a fitting.
Conversation Starters
"Do you prefer sports bras?"
"Where is the best place to buy lingerie?"
Journal Prompts
Describe the importance of comfort in clothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questionsIt is neutral.
Test Yourself
She wears a ___.
It is an item of clothing.
What is a bra?
It is clothing.
A bra is a type of food.
It is clothing.
Word
Meaning
Matching usage.
Subject-verb-object.
Score: /5
Summary
A bra is a common, essential piece of clothing used for support.
- It is an undergarment.
- Shortened from brassiere.
- Commonly used word.
- Neutral register.
Rhyme it
Rhymes with spa.
Keep it polite
Use in appropriate context.
History
Shortened from brassiere.
Plural
Add 's'.
Example
She decided to buy a high-impact sports bra for her marathon training.
Related Content
Learn it in Context
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
More Clothing words
mac
B1A shortened colloquial term most commonly referring to a waterproof raincoat (in British English), an Apple Macintosh computer, or macaroni pasta. It serves as a versatile abbreviation in informal contexts.
gloves
B1Gloves are garments that cover the hand and wrist, featuring separate sections for each finger and the thumb. They are used for protection against weather, chemicals, or injury, and are also worn as a fashion accessory.
brassiere
B2A formal and technical term for a woman's undergarment designed to support and cover the breasts. It is the full, unabbreviated version of the common word 'bra' and is primarily used in garment manufacturing, retail, or historical contexts.
button
B2Used as an attributive adjective to describe objects that are small, round, and compact, similar in shape to a garment fastener. In professional or academic contexts, it often refers to specific technical components or a conservative, traditional style.
uniform
B2Describes something that is consistent in form, manner, or degree throughout. It implies that all parts of a whole are identical or that a process remains the same over time.
burnous
B2A long, loose outer garment with a hood, typically made of wool, worn especially by Arab and Berber people. It serves as both a traditional cultural attire and a functional piece of clothing for protection against harsh desert climates.
armband
C1A strip of fabric or material worn around the upper arm to signify a specific role, identity, or state of mourning. In modern contexts, it can also refer to a strap used to hold electronic devices like smartphones during physical activity.
stitch
B2A single loop of thread or yarn produced by a needle in sewing, knitting, or crocheting. It also refers to a sudden sharp pain in the side of the body, usually caused by strenuous exercise.
blouse
B2A blouse is a loose-fitting upper garment that is typically worn by women or girls. It is often made of lightweight fabric such as silk or cotton and frequently features buttons, a collar, and decorative sleeves.
bootee
B2A bootee is a soft, short shoe, often knitted, designed for infants to keep their feet warm. It also refers to a protective, disposable shoe cover worn in sterile environments like laboratories or hospitals to prevent contamination.
