A unitard is a one-piece garment that covers the torso, arms, and legs, typically made of stretchable fabric such as Lycra, spandex, nylon, or cotton. It is commonly worn in athletic, dance, or gymnastic activities, as well as for theatrical performances and cosplay. The garment is designed to fit snugly to the body, providing support and allowing for a full range of movement. It is often accessorized with capes, gloves, and other details for added character or functionality. Unitards have a long history, with the term first being recorded in the United States in 1928. The word is derived from the French word unitaire, which means one piece. The term has evolved to encompass a variety of styles and uses, from classic superhero costumes to casual streetwear. In addition to athletic and performance contexts, unitards have also been used in fashion, with designers incorporating them into their collections. One notable aspect of unitards is their versatility. They can be used to represent many types of clothing, from bodysuits and swimsuits to casual streetwear and even formalwear. They can also be customized to fit a specific theme or character, making them a popular choice for cosplay and other costume events. Overall, unitards are a practical and functional garment that has become a staple in various contexts, from athletics to fashion and performance. Their stretchable material and snug fit make them ideal for activities that require a full range of movement, while their versatility and customization options make them a popular choice for those looking to make a statement or embody a specific character.
garment, stretchable, athletic, performance, cosplay
The word “Unitard” is a noun that describes a skintight garment, that is usually one-piece and sleeved. Synonyms of “Unitard” include onesie, catsuit, bodysuit, leotard, and long johns. Antonyms of “Unitard” include shorts, blouse, shirt, and jeans. Cognates of “Unitard” are words in other languages that are similar in spelling and meaning. Variants of the word “Unitard” include unitarded, unitards, and unitarder.
etymological origin, historical linguistics, semantic change, vocabulary, lexicological research
The word unitard is derived from the French word ‘unitaire’, which literally translates to “one piece”. The evolution of the term has been documented in the English language since the early 1830s, with the first recorded use being recorded in the United States in 1928. The term is used to refer to a one-piece garment, usually made of spandex, and has come to be used in both sporting and leisure contexts, as well as for theatrical performances. The morphology of the word is indicative of its French origin, with the phonological form being characteristic of the French language and its prefix “uni” being used to denote the singular and integrated nature of a garment. From a pragmatic perspective, the term serves to succinctly describe and differentiate the garment from other similar pieces of clothing, whilst also conveying to the consumer a sense of practicality and ease of use.
Etymology, Morphology, Unitard, French, Pragmatics, Lexicology.
Unitard is a one-piece garment that covers the torso, arms and legs. It is usually made from a stretchable fabric such as Lycra, spandex, nylon or cotton, and is commonly worn in athletics, dance, or gymnastics. Equivalent words of Unitard in other languages include salopette, playsuit, body suit, jumpsuit, catsuit, bodysuit, mioliny, romper, tricot, gamas, as well as variations based on body parts such as pantalon, pantaloncini, bustier, and collant.
Words in other languages that denote Unitard include salopette, playsuit, body suit, jumpsuit, catsuit, bodysuit, mioliny, romper, tricot, gamas, pantalon, pantaloncini, bustier, and collant; phrases that refer to the garment such as one-piece
A unitard is a type of one-piece garment traditionally used in anime, comics, and manga for drawing character swimsuits and bodysuits. It covers the wearer’s torso, legs, and often their arms as well. It is usually made of stretchable material and often includes a zipper or other closure at the back. Unitards can be used to represent many types of clothing, from classic superhero costumes to casual streetwear. They are often accessorized with capes, gloves, and other details for added character.
Anime, comics, manga, swimsuits, bodysuits, one-piece garment, stretch material, zipper, closure, costumes, streetwear, capes, gloves, character.
CITATION : "Taro Yamada. 'Unitard.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=178127 (Accessed on July 05, 2025)"
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