waist

waist — noun

1. the narrow middle section of the human body, found just below the ribs and above

1.nounA2
Definition

the narrow middle section of the human body, found just below the ribs and above the hip bones, typically the slimmest area of the torso.

Example

Ignacio wrapped a bright red belt around his waist before putting on the jacket.

wrap + belt + around + waist

The tailor measured Marta's waist carefully before cutting the fabric for the new dress.

measure + waist for clothing fitting

Common collocations
  • slim waist
  • narrow waist
  • around the waist
  • measure the waist
  • waist size
Synonyms
  • midriff

    refers to the same area but focuses on the front of the body; slightly more formal or medical

  • midsection

    broader term covering the whole middle area including stomach and waist; less precise

Grammar Patterns

possessive + waist

around + possessive + waist

Usage Note

In everyday English, waist refers specifically to the narrowed middle area. Do not use it for the lower back — the area where people commonly feel pain is called the lower back, not the waist.

Common Mistakes

My waist hurts from lifting the box.
My lower back hurts from lifting the box.
Waist is the front and side middle area, not the lower back.
She has a thin waist' (when meaning narrow).
She has a slim waist.
'Thin waist' is understood but 'slim waist' is more natural in English.

2. the section of an item of clothing designed to sit at the torso's midsection, ju

2.nounA2
Definition

the section of an item of clothing designed to sit at the torso's midsection, just above the hips and below the ribs.

Example

These trousers are too tight at the waist, so Rania needs a bigger size.

tight at the waist (fit collocation)

Arjun likes jeans with an elastic waist for easy movement at work.

elastic waist

Common collocations
  • high waist
  • low waist
  • elastic waist
  • fitted waist
  • waist measurement
  • drawstring waist
Synonyms
  • waistline

    refers to the position or shape of the waist on a garment rather than the garment section itself

  • waistband

    specifically the band or strip sewn into the top of trousers, skirts, or shorts

Grammar Patterns

the + waist + of + clothing item

adjective + waist

Usage Note

Often modified by adjectives describing the cut or fit of the garment: high waist, low waist, elastic waist, fitted waist. When buying clothes, the waist measurement on a label may differ from your body waist size.

Common Mistakes

The jeans are tight in waist.
The jeans are tight at the waist.
Use 'at the waist' or 'in the waist area', not bare 'in waist'.

Word family

  • waisted
    adjectiveB2
  • waistline
    nounB2
  • waistband
    nounB2
  • waistcoat
    nounB2
  • waist-deep
    adjectiveB2
  • waist-high
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Waist, midriff, midsection, and hips refer to adjacent parts of the torso, but each has a different focus. Waist (A2) is the narrowed middle zone between the ribs and hips — the slimmest part of the torso in most people. Midriff (B2) points more to the front abdominal area below the chest, often used in fashion contexts (a midriff top). Midsection (B2) is a broader, more informal term covering the whole area from chest to hips, including the stomach and waist. Hips (A2) sit below the waist at the widest part of the pelvis. For example: The tailor measured his waist for new trousers. She hurt her midriff doing sit-ups. He said the jacket was tight across his midsection. The dress fit snugly over her hips.

waist ↗midriffmidsectionhips

Common collocations

Nouns

  • waist measurement
  • waist size
  • waist circumference
  • waist length

Phrases

  • slim waist
  • narrow waist
  • high waist
  • low waist
  • elastic waist
  • drawstring waist
  • trim waist

Prepositions

  • around the waist
  • at the waist

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

The word waist comes from Old English wæst, which originally meant 'growth, size, or stature.' Over time it came to refer specifically to the middle part of the body — the area where a person's growth or size was most visibly measured. It is related to the verb wax (to grow), reflecting the idea of the body expanding at this point.