Hip vs. Waist — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 24, 2024
The hip refers to the area around the pelvis, known for its wider part due to the pelvic bone structure, while the waist is the narrowest part of the torso, above the hips and below the ribs.
Difference Between Hip and Waist
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Hips are part of the pelvic region, forming a bony structure that supports the body's weight in both standing and sitting positions. They play a crucial role in movement, stability, and bearing the body's load. In contrast, the waist is defined by the slim part of the torso, significantly influenced by the body's muscle and fat distribution, and does not have a direct bony structure supporting it like the hips.
Measurements of the hips are often used to determine body shape and clothing sizes, reflecting broader measurements due to the pelvic bones. Waist measurements, however, are typically smaller, used to calculate body mass index (BMI) ratios like waist-to-hip or waist-to-height, indicating health-related metrics such as the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Fashion and clothing design pay particular attention to the waist and hips, with the difference between their measurements influencing clothing fit and style. Clothes that fit well in these areas are crucial for comfort and aesthetic, highlighting the importance of understanding one’s waist and hip measurements for proper attire selection.
Culturally and historically, the waist and hips have symbolized different ideals of beauty and strength. The waist is often associated with slimness and fitness, while wide hips have been linked to fertility and strength. These perceptions have evolved over time, influenced by changing societal norms and health understandings.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Area around the pelvis, known for its width.
The narrowest part of the torso, above the hips.
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Structure
Supported by the pelvic bones.
Defined by muscle and fat distribution.
Function
Supports body's weight, involved in movement.
Encircles the torso, without direct support from a bony structure.
Measurements
Used to determine body shape, clothing sizes.
Used for BMI ratios, indicating health risks.
Fashion
Influences clothing fit, especially in lower body attire.
Influences the fit of garments around the torso.
Cultural Symbolism
Often associated with fertility and strength.
Linked to ideals of slimness and fitness.
Compare with Definitions
Hip
The body part around the pelvis, wider due to the bone structure.
She measured her hips to find the right size of jeans.
Waist
A key measurement for clothing, especially dresses.
Tailors measure the waist for custom garments.
Hip
Symbolizes fertility and strength in various cultures.
Art from ancient civilizations often emphasized wide hips.
Waist
The slimmest part of the torso, above the hips.
She wore a belt to accentuate her waist.
Hip
Influences lower body clothing fit.
Dress fitting requires accurate hip measurements.
Waist
Crucial for health metrics like waist-to-hip ratio.
A lower waist-to-hip ratio is often seen as healthier.
Hip
Involved in supporting weight and movement.
Hip strength is crucial for athletes.
Waist
Defined by muscle and fat, not directly supported by bone.
Core exercises help in toning the waist.
Hip
Measured for body shape analysis.
His hip measurement was taken for a tailored suit.
Waist
Associated with ideals of slimness and fitness.
The fashion industry often highlights a slim waist.
Hip
In vertebrate anatomy, hip (or "coxa" in medical terminology) refers to either an anatomical region or a joint. The hip region is located lateral and anterior to the gluteal region, inferior to the iliac crest, and overlying the greater trochanter of the femur, or "thigh bone".
Waist
The waist is the part of the abdomen between the rib cage and hips. On people with slim bodies, the waist is the narrowest part of the torso.
Hip
(formerly in the UK) a set of information about a house or flat that a seller must provide to a potential buyer.
Waist
The part of the human body below the ribs and above the hips, often narrower than the areas above and below
The last time you had a waist was around 1978
He put an arm around her waist
Hip
Very fashionable
It's hip to be environmentally conscious
Waist
A narrow part in the middle of something, such as a violin or hourglass.
Hip
Aware of or informed about
He's trying to show how hip he is to Americana
Waist
A blouse or bodice.
Hip
Used to introduce a communal cheer
Hip hip hooray!
Waist
The part of the human trunk between the bottom of the rib cage and the pelvis.
Hip
The laterally projecting prominence of the pelvis or pelvic region from the waist to the thigh.
Waist
The narrow part of the abdomen of an insect.
Hip
A homologous posterior part in quadrupeds.
Waist
The part of a garment that encircles the waist of the body.
Hip
The hip joint.
Waist
The upper part of a garment, extending from the shoulders to the waistline, especially the bodice of a dress.
Hip
(Architecture) The external angle formed by the meeting of two adjacent sloping sides of a roof.
Waist
(Archaic) A blouse.
Hip
A rose hip.
Waist
The middle section or part of an object, especially when narrower than the rest.
Hip
Keenly aware of or knowledgeable about the latest trends or developments.
Waist
(Nautical) The middle part of the upper deck of a ship between the forecastle and the quarterdeck.
Hip
Very fashionable or stylish.
Waist
(anatomy) The part of the body between the pelvis and the stomach.
Hip
Usually used to begin a cheer
Hip, hip, hooray!.
Waist
A part of a piece of clothing that covers the waist.
Hip
(anatomy) The outward-projecting parts of the pelvis and top of the femur and the overlying tissue.
Waist
The narrow connection between the thorax and abdomen in certain insects (e.g., bees, ants and wasps).
Hip
The inclined external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.
Waist
The middle portion of the hull of a ship or the fuselage of an aircraft.
Hip
In a bridge truss, the place where an inclined end post meets the top chord.
Waist
(nautical) That part of the upper deck of a ship between the quarterdeck and the forecastle.
Hip
A drug addict, especially someone addicted to a narcotic like heroin.
Waist
(obsolete) The middle part of anything.
Hip
The fruit of a rose.
Waist
That part of the human body which is immediately below the ribs or thorax; the small part of the body between the thorax and hips.
I am in the waist two yards about.
Hip
To use one's hips to bump into someone.
Waist
Hence, the middle part of other bodies; especially (Naut.), that part of a vessel's deck, bulwarks, etc., which is between the quarter-deck and the forecastle; the middle part of the ship.
Hip
(wrestling) To throw (one's adversary) over one's hip ("cross-buttock").
Waist
A garment, or part of a garment, which covers the body from the neck or shoulders to the waist line.
Hip
To dislocate or sprain the hip of, to fracture or injure the hip bone of (a quadruped) in such a manner as to produce a permanent depression of that side.
Waist
A girdle or belt for the waist.
Hip
To make with a hip or hips, as a roof.
Waist
The narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips
Hip
To inform, to make knowledgeable.
Waist
The narrow part of the shoe connecting the heel and the wide part of the sole
Hip
(slang) Aware, informed, up-to-date, trendy.
Hip
The projecting region of the lateral parts of one side of the pelvis and the hip joint; the haunch; the huckle.
Hip
The external angle formed by the meeting of two sloping sides or skirts of a roof, which have their wall plates running in different directions.
Hip
In a bridge truss, the place where an inclined end post meets the top chord.
Hip
The fruit of a rosebush, especially of the English dog-rose (Rosa canina); called also rose hip.
Hip
To dislocate or sprain the hip of, to fracture or injure the hip bone of (a quadruped) in such a manner as to produce a permanent depression of that side.
Hip
To throw (one's adversary) over one's hip in wrestling (technically called cross buttock).
Hip
To make with a hip or hips, as a roof.
Hip
Used to excite attention or as a signal; as, hip, hip, hurra!
Hip
Aware of the latest ideas, trends, fashions, and developments in popular music and entertainment culture; not square; - same as hep.
Hip
Aware of the latest fashions and behaving as expected socially, especially in clothing style and musical taste; exhibiting an air of casual sophistication; cool; with it; - used mostly among young people in the teens to twenties.
Hip
Either side of the body below the waist and above the thigh
Hip
The structure of the vertebrate skeleton supporting the lower limbs in humans and the hind limbs or corresponding parts in other vertebrates
Hip
The ball-and-socket joint between the head of the femur and the acetabulum
Hip
The fruit of a rose plant
Hip
Informed about the latest trends
Common Curiosities
What defines the hip area?
The hip area is defined by the bony structure of the pelvis, making it wider and crucial for supporting the body's weight and movement.
Why are hip measurements important in fashion?
Hip measurements are vital for determining the correct clothing size, especially for lower body garments, ensuring a good fit around the pelvic area.
What does a waist measurement indicate about health?
Waist measurements can indicate health risks, with waist-to-hip and waist-to-height ratios being predictors of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
How do cultural perceptions of the waist and hips differ?
Culturally, the waist is often associated with slimness and fitness, while hips have symbolized fertility and strength, though these perceptions vary and evolve over time.
How do changes in waist and hip sizes affect clothing choices?
Changes in waist and hip sizes can significantly affect clothing choices and fit, necessitating adjustments or different clothing styles to accommodate the body's proportions.
Can waist size be altered easily compared to hip size?
Waist size can be more easily altered through diet and exercise due to its dependence on muscle and fat distribution, unlike the hip size, which is largely determined by bone structure.
How is the waist different from the hip in structure?
Unlike the hip, the waist lacks a direct bony structure for support and is defined by the body's muscle and fat distribution, making it the torso's narrowest part.
How have historical beauty standards for waist and hips changed?
Historical beauty standards for waist and hips have fluctuated, with different eras valuing varying body proportions, influenced by cultural, social, and health understandings.
What role do the waist and hips play in body shape determination?
The measurements of the waist and hips play a crucial role in determining one’s body shape, influencing fashion choices and body shape categorizations like pear, apple, or hourglass figures.
Are waist and hip measurements used differently in men’s and women’s fashion?
Yes, in women’s fashion, waist and hip measurements are often more critical due to the typically greater variance in body shapes, whereas men's fashion frequently focuses more on waist measurements for sizing.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
