waist

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'waist' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the middle part of the human body between the ribs and the hips, as well as to refer to the narrowest part of a garment such as a dress or a pair of trousers. Example sentence: She cinched the belt around her waist to show off her slim figure.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

He was shot six times during a hijacking, leaving him paralysed from the waist down.

The Guardian

But the day before Rahman's death, one CIA officer ordered that Rahman be shackled to the wall of his cell and sat on the cold floor whilst naked from the waist down.

The Guardian

She was hit on the head twice with a chair, leaving a scar over her right eyelid, and was thrown on the floor, causing pain to her lower back, waist and kidneys.

The Guardian

She was paralysed below the waist when she was accidentally shot by police seeking her son, Michael, during an early morning raid on her home.

The Guardian

In menswear, meanwhile, Shaun Samson made no bones about his inspiration, with waist wraparound aprons, the sort of thing a waiter wears, along with the full-size version in black emblazoned in white with non sequiturs including "Delusional Radical Bliss".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mamy to wait on her, a loving family, wealth, men begging to dance with her, good looks and a sixteen inch waist.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

There is even a very rare Carlyle anecdote about how he waltzed into the school playground in psychedelic shirt, shorts, and waist-length hair, only to be sent home by the teacher for forgetting to wear shoes.

The Guardian - Film

With their heavy packs and rifles, the troops would have been easy pickings in the waist-deep choppy water, he said.

The Guardian

There is a nostalgic woman that comes to mind: Brigitte Bardot for that 60s Riviera chic; Sophia Loren who looked great in a nipped-in-waist shirtdress; Audrey Hepburn for a sleeker silhouette; Jane Birkin looking effortless, shirt dress buttoned low with bare, brown legs".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The wave is small and apologetic, his hand barely rising above waist-level.

The Guardian

Driving back late from the border (marked by a waist-high scrappy barbed-wire fence) through Mr Chilton's ranch, the difficulties of measuring security become clear.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing clothing, use "at the waist" to specify where the garment fits on the body. For example, "a belt at the waist".

Common error

Avoid using "waist" as a verb. The word primarily functions as a noun, referring to a body part or garment feature. Incorrect: "She waisted the dress." Correct: "She cinched the dress at the waist."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "waist" is as a noun, denoting a specific part of the body or a feature of clothing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correctly used in this manner. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in contexts ranging from physical descriptions to garment design.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Lifestyle

25%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Sport

5%

Music

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "waist" functions primarily as a noun, correctly identifying a body part or garment feature. Ludwig AI confirms its valid usage. Its purpose is descriptive, commonly appearing in news, lifestyle, and travel contexts. The word maintains a neutral formality, suitable for diverse communication. To enhance clarity, use "at the waist" for clothing descriptions and avoid using "waist" as a verb. Alternatives like "midsection" or "waistline" can provide nuanced descriptions. With its frequent use across various reliable sources, "waist" is a versatile and well-understood term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

waistline

Specifically refers to the circumference of the waist, a measurement rather than the body part itself.

circumference of the waist

A precise and formal way of referring to the waist measurement.

waist area

A descriptive phrase to specify the area of the body.

midsection

Refers to the central part of the body, similar to waist but more general.

narrowest part of the torso

Describes the waist in terms of its shape relative to the rest of the body.

middle

A simple and common way to indicate the waist area.

torso

Describes the entire trunk of the body, encompassing more than just the waist area.

abdominal area

A more clinical term for the region around the waist.

girth

Indicates the measurement around the waist, often implying a larger size.

belly

More informal term, typically referring to the stomach area, but can overlap with the waist.

FAQs

How to use "waist" in a sentence?

You can use "waist" to refer to the part of the body between the ribs and hips, or to the part of a garment that fits around this area. For example, "The belt cinched her "waist"" or "The water was "waist"-high".

What can I say instead of "waist"?

You can use alternatives like "midsection", "waistline", or "abdominal area" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "waist" or "waistline"?

"Waist" refers to the part of the body, while "waistline" refers to the measurement around the waist. They are related but not interchangeable in all contexts.

What's the difference between "waist" and "torso"?

"Waist" refers specifically to the area between the ribs and hips, while "torso" describes the entire trunk of the body, including the chest, back, and abdomen.