What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
waist
Example
She wore a belt around her waist to accentuate her figure. [waist: noun]
Example
He measured his waist to see if he needed a larger size pants. [waist: noun]
torso
Example
The athlete worked on strengthening his torso to improve his balance. [torso: noun]
Example
She got a tattoo on her torso that extended from her shoulder to her hip. [torso: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Waist is a more common word than torso in everyday language, especially in discussions related to fashion and body image. Torso is more commonly used in medical or anatomical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between waist and torso?
Torso is generally considered a more formal word than waist, which is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.