pajama

[ puh-jah-muh, -jam-uh ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling pajamas:

   a pajama top; a lounging outfit with pajama pants.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pajama¹

pajamas

Example Sentences

She spent the month before the festival working 18-hour days in her pajamas, chain-smoking cigarettes.

From Los Angeles Times

She’s released a children’s book and an animated film based on the song; she’s sold Christmas tree ornaments and beanies and pajama sets.

From Los Angeles Times

Where you don't wait to see this on your TV in your pajamas by yourself on the couch.

From Salon

But even if they didn’t “dress up,” per se, most students agreed that they put in at least a little extra effort — pajamas were an obvious no — for the first day of school.

From Los Angeles Times

Boyd remembers hosting pajama party sales events at his stores where customers would show up in outrageous sleepwear — see-through nighties and G-strings.

From Los Angeles Times

More About Pajama

What does pajama mean?

The word pajama, without an s, is used as a modifier in terms involving pajamas—the clothes you wear to sleep in.

It’s used in terms like pajama pants, pajama top, and pajama party.

It is typically spelled as pyjama by speakers of British English (who use the spelling pyjamas for the noun).

You could say that whatever clothes you change into before going to bed are your pajamas. Traditionally, though, pajamas are specifically made and sold as clothes for sleeping in, typically consisting of soft, loose-fitting pants or shorts and a (sometimes matching) top. There are many different types and styles, such as nightgowns. Clothes considered pajamas aren’t only worn for sleeping—many people wear them as loungewear.

The word pajamas is commonly and informally abbreviated as p.j.’s, and the term p.j. can be used as an informal replacement of pajama, as in p.j. pants. The word jammies is an even more informal word for pajamas, and the word jammie can replace pajama in the same way, as in jammie pants.

Example: I have a lot of pajama bottoms that I wear around the house, but I never sleep in them.

Where does pajama come from?

The first records of the words pajama and pyjama as modifiers come from the early 1900s. The words pajamas and pyjamas are recorded earlier, in the 1800s. They come from the Hindi pāyjāma, from the Persian pāy, meaning “leg,” and jāma, meaning “garment.”

Originally, the word pajamas referred to loose-fitting pants worn in parts of Asia, usually made of silk or cotton. It then came to refer to a style of women’s pants, especially ones flared at the bottom, worn as leisurewear. Eventually, the word’s association with loose-fitting clothing resulted in its use as a term for sleepwear.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to pajama?

• pyjama (British English spelling)
• pajamas (noun)

What are some synonyms for pajama?

• p.j.
• jammie

What are some words that share a root or word element with pajama? 

• pajama party

What are some words that often get used in discussing pajama?

 

• pants
• top
• bottom
• shirt
• sleep
• comfortable
• sleepwear
• nightclothes
• nightwear

How is pajama used in real life?

The word pajama is most commonly used in terms referring to articles of clothing worn as pajamas.

There’s a chill in the air and I absolutely LOVE it. I get to wear my plaid flannel pajama pants now!

— Alison Chevalier ❤️🤍💙 (@BigNaturals4M4A) October 14, 2020

So it’s sold as a pajama shirt but I wear it all day because #mood 🌚 #SleepySunday pic.twitter.com/AiqZF8JkGm

— LubeeBatConservancy (@BatConservancy) September 15, 2019

Pajama party with squad🎉💛 pic.twitter.com/imdT2vccwM

— doktora (@futuredoktora09) October 15, 2020

 

 

Try using pajama!

Is pajama used correctly in the following sentence?

I usually just use old T-shirts as pajama tops.