Meaning & use
calf length
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Reaching down to the calf, the muscular back part of the lower leg.
Grammar: Used mainly before a noun: calf-length boots, a calf-length skirt.
Patterns
- calf-length boots
- a calf-length skirt/dress
- calf-length trousers
She wore calf-length boots with her winter coat.
A calf-length skirt keeps your legs warm without being as long as a maxi.
He bought a pair of calf-length socks for hiking.
noununcountable
A length or height that ends at the calf of the leg.
Grammar: Often written with a hyphen when it comes before a noun: calf-length.
Patterns
- at calf length
- to calf length
The dress comes to calf length, just below the knee.
Choose a hem at calf length if you want a modest look.
Common combinations
- calf-length boots
- Calf-length boots are practical for wet city streets.
- calf-length dress
- She chose a simple calf-length dress for the ceremony.
- calf-length skirt
- A calf-length skirt in a dark color works well for the office.
- calf-length socks
- The nurse recommended calf-length socks to improve circulation.
- a hem at calf length
- The tailor set the hem at calf length.
Synonyms and how they differ
- mid-calf
- 'Mid-calf' means reaching the middle of the calf, slightly shorter than calf length.
- knee-length
- 'Knee-length' ends at the knee, which is higher than calf length.
- midi
- 'Midi' describes a skirt or dress between knee and ankle length; calf length is one common midi length.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: calf length or half-length?
calf length vs half-length
'Half-length' describes a portrait or photo showing the head and upper body, not clothing that reaches the calf.
Practice
Which item is most likely described as calf-length?
Choose one answer.
Boots reach up the leg, so they can end at the calf. Hats, gloves and scarves are worn on the head or hands and are not measured against the calf.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “calf length”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.