a. A light, loose garment for the upper body, usually worn by men, and typically made of linen or cotton, resembling a large overshirt or traditional agricultural labourer's smock, and often worn with a belt at the waist; spec. the (usually blue) garment of this type formerly associated with workmen, artists, etc., in France and elsewhere in Europe. Now rare (chiefly historical in later use).

†b. In French-speaking contexts: a person (esp. a man) wearing a blouse (sense 1a); a workman, an agricultural labourer, a peasant. Obsolete.

a. A garment usually worn by a woman or girl, covering the body from the neck and shoulders to the waist or hips; (originally) a loose-fitting bodice (bodice n. 2), typically drawn in at the waist by a belt or tucked in the waistband of a skirt; (later more generally) any lightweight upper garment, esp. one resembling a shirt, usually with a collar, buttons, and sleeves, worn over or tucked into a skirt, trousers, etc.rare before c1870.See also gypsy blouse, handkerchief blouse, kimono blouse, Norfolk blouse n., peekaboo blouse, shirt-blouse n., sun blouse n., sweater blouse n., etc.

b. British slang. A person (esp. a man or boy) who is ineffectual, cowardly, or overly fussy or sensitive. Originally and chiefly in big girl's blouse.Popularized by the British sitcom Nearest and Dearest (1968–73); see quot. 1968.

a. A loose-fitting garment for the upper body forming part of the traditional uniform of a seaman or rating, worn over or tucked into trousers, and having a collar with a broad, square flap at the back, tapering into a v-shaped neckline at the front. Cf. jumper n.² 1.

b. Chiefly U.S. A straight-cut hip-length coat or jacket worn as part of a soldier's dress or undress uniform. Now historical.

c. Chiefly British. A short jacket or blouson, cut relatively full in the body, with a close-fitting, adjustable waistband, worn as part of battledress (battle-dress n.) by a member of the army or air force. Now chiefly historical.The British Army adopted the battledress uniform featuring the short blouse at the end of the 1930s, and it remained in use until the 1960s. Towards the end of the Second World War (1939–44) a blouse modelled on that worn as part of the British Army's battledress was introduced for American troops in Europe. Cf. Eisenhower n.

d. An overshirt or light jacket, worn as part of fatigues or combat dress by a member of the army, navy, or air force.

a. transitive. To make or arrange (a garment or part of a garment) so as to hang or drape loosely, or puff out, esp. over a belt, closely fitting waistband, cuff, etc.; spec. to tuck (one's trousers) into one's boots, leggings, etc., so that the trouser legs puff out loosely over the tops, esp. as part of military uniform.

b. intransitive. To hang or drape loosely, or puff out, esp. over a belt, closely-fitting waistband, cuff, etc. Frequently with out.