Meaning & use
a pinafore
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountableBritish
A sleeveless dress, often worn over a blouse or shirt, typically by women or girls.
Grammar: Countable noun; can be preceded by 'a' or 'an' and has a plural form.
Patterns
- wear a pinafore
- a pinafore dress
She wore a blue pinafore over a white blouse.
The little girl put on her pinafore for the school play.
In the 19th century, many women wore pinafores to protect their clothes.
nouncountable
A sleeveless garment like an apron, often worn by nurses or waitresses.
Grammar: Countable noun; often used in the phrase 'nurse's pinafore'.
Patterns
- a nurse's pinafore
- wear a pinafore
The nurse adjusted her pinafore before entering the room.
The waitress wore a black pinafore over her uniform.
Word forms
| plural | pinafores |
|---|
Common combinations
- pinafore dress
- She bought a new pinafore dress for the party.
- wear a pinafore
- Children often wear a pinafore to keep their clothes clean.
- nurse's pinafore
- The nurse's pinafore had a small pocket for scissors.
Synonyms and how they differ
Commonly confused: a pinafore or pinnacle?
a pinafore vs pinnacle
A pinnacle is a high point or peak; a pinafore is a piece of clothing. They sound somewhat similar but are unrelated.
Practice
What is a pinafore?
Choose one answer.
A pinafore is a sleeveless dress or apron-like garment. The other options are unrelated items of clothing or accessories.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a pinafore”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.