trousers

[ trou-zerz ]

noun

, (used with a plural verb)

1. Sometimes Also called pants. a usually loose-fitting outer garment for the lower part of the body, having individual leg portions that reach typically to the ankle but sometimes to any of various other points from the upper leg down. Compare Bermuda shorts, breeches, knickers ( def 1 ), short ( def 29a ), slacks.
2. pantalets.

trousers

/ ˈtraʊzəz /

plural noun

1. a garment shaped to cover the body from the waist to the ankles or knees with separate tube-shaped sections for both legs
2. wear the trousers informal.
   to have control, esp in a marriage US equivalentwear the pants

Derived Forms

• ˈtrouserless, adjective
• ˈtrousered, adjective

Other Words From

• trouser·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of trousers¹

1585–95; trouse (variant of trews ) + (draw)ers (in the sense “undergarment with legs”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of trousers¹

C17: from earlier trouse , a variant of trews , influenced by drawers

Example Sentences

They said the man had short, dark coloured hair and was wearing a grey puffer jacket, light-coloured trousers and white trainers.

From BBC

She describes their outfits as looking like "19th century chimney sweeps", donning black shorts or trousers, a white top, braces, and a flat cap.

From BBC

In a picture probably from the late 1940s he wears a flannel shirt tucked into trousers.

From Salon

Growing up in Cyprus, Elena felt she was different to other girls - she liked maths, biology, and preferred wearing trousers rather than skirts.

From BBC

These pleated pinstripe corduroy trousers are a contemporary classic.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• knickers
• slacks