Meaning & use
a basque
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A close-fitting piece of women's underwear that covers the torso and usually has a lower edge shaped like a short skirt.
Grammar: Countable: a basque, two basques; often used in fashion or lingerie contexts.
Patterns
- wear a basque
- a lace basque
She bought a black lace basque for her wedding night.
The shop sells basques in several colors and sizes.
He gave her a red basque as an anniversary gift.
nouncountableold-fashioned
A woman's blouse or bodice that fits closely and extends over the hips, sometimes worn as outer clothing.
Grammar: Countable; this older sense is less common today.
Patterns
- a fitted basque
- wear a basque over a skirt
The costume included a fitted basque with a long skirt.
In the nineteenth century, women often wore a basque over their dresses.
nouncountable
A person from the Basque Country, or the Basque language.
Grammar: Countable for a person; uncountable for the language. Usually capitalized as 'Basque'.
Patterns
- speak Basque
- a Basque from Spain
Many people in northern Spain speak Basque.
He is a Basque who grew up near the French border.
Word forms
| plural | basques |
|---|
Common combinations
- a lace basque
- She wore a lace basque under her dress.
- a black basque
- The dancer wore a black basque and fishnet stockings.
- speak Basque
- Her grandparents speak Basque at home.
- the Basque Country
- The Basque Country is in northern Spain and southwestern France.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
Commonly confused: a basque or basque vs. Basque? a basque or basque vs. bustier?
a basque vs basque vs. Basque
When it means a piece of clothing, 'basque' is usually lowercase. When it means the people or language, 'Basque' is capitalized.
a basque vs basque vs. bustier
A bustier is a fitted, strapless top that stops at the waist; a basque usually extends lower over the hips.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'basque' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A basque is a fitted piece of women's clothing or underwear. Option 1 describes that garment. Option 4 should be capitalized as 'Basque' when it means the language.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a basque”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.