bandeau

IPA/ˈbændəʊ/
IPA/bænˈdəʊ/

bandeau — noun

  • bandeausingular
  • bandeausplural

1. a narrow cloth band you wear on your head so loose hair stays away from your fac

1.nounC1
Definition

a narrow cloth band you wear on your head so loose hair stays away from your face

Example

Meera pulled on a black bandeau before jogging along the river.

clothing verb: pull on a bandeau

Ari's silver bandeau kept curly hair off Ari's face during dance practice.

Common collocations
  • black bandeau
  • beaded bandeau
  • silk bandeau
  • wear a bandeau
Synonyms
  • headband

    the common everyday word for a band worn around the head

  • hair band

    can also mean an elastic tie for a ponytail, so it is less exact

Grammar Patterns

wear a bandeau

pull on a bandeau

Usage Note

Usually refers to a simple band worn across the hair or around the head. Unlike a barrette or hair clip, it does not fasten one small section of hair with a clasp.

Common Mistakes

She fixed the side of her bangs with a bandeau.
She fixed the side of her bangs with a barrette.
a bandeau goes around the head, while a barrette clips onto one part of the hair.

2. a short strapless top made from one wide piece of fabric that covers the chest a

2.nounC1
Definition

a short strapless top made from one wide piece of fabric that covers the chest and leaves the shoulders bare

Example

Layla wore a white bandeau with wide trousers to the beach cafe.

outfit pattern: bandeau with trousers / skirt / shorts

In the shop window, a denim bandeau hung above a matching skirt.

Common collocations
  • black bandeau
  • denim bandeau
  • wear a bandeau
  • matching bandeau and skirt
Synonyms
  • tube top

    the most common everyday term for the same kind of strapless top

  • crop top

    broader term that may have straps or sleeves, so it is less specific

Grammar Patterns

wear a bandeau with + bottoms

layer + shirt/jacket over a bandeau

Usage Note

This sense refers to outer clothing. Distinguish it from sense 3, which is underwear worn for support under another garment.

Common Mistakes

She wore a bandeau under her sweater for extra support.
She wore a bandeau bra under her sweater for extra support.
this sense is a top worn as outer clothing, not underwear.

3. a soft strapless bra, usually shaped like a wide band that stretches around the

3.nounC1
Definition

a soft strapless bra, usually shaped like a wide band that stretches around the chest

Example

After surgery, Yasmin chose a soft bandeau instead of an underwire bra.

contrast: bandeau instead of an underwire bra

The dancer wore a nude bandeau under the costume for extra support.

Common collocations
  • soft bandeau
  • seamless bandeau
  • nude bandeau
  • wear a bandeau under a dress
Synonyms
  • strapless bra

    broader term that can include underwire or shaped cups, not only a flat stretchy band

  • bralette

    often softer and lighter than a standard bra, but many bralettes have straps

Grammar Patterns

wear a bandeau under + clothing

choose a bandeau instead of + bra

Usage Note

Used for a strapless bra made from one wide band of fabric. Unlike sense 2, this item is underwear and is usually worn under a dress, top, or costume.

Common Mistakes

She wore a bandeau bra to the dinner party as her top.
She wore a bandeau top to the dinner party.
a bandeau in this sense is underwear, while sense 2 is outer clothing.