pants

[ pants ]

noun

, (used with a plural verb)

1. trousers ( def 1 ).
2. underpants, especially for women and children; panties.
3. British. men's underpants, especially long drawers.

pants

/ pænts /

plural noun

1. an undergarment reaching from the waist to the thighs or knees
2. Also calledtrousers a garment shaped to cover the body from the waist to the ankles or knees with separate tube-shaped sections for both legs
3. bore the pants off informal.
   to bore extremely
4. scare the pants off informal.
   to scare extremely

adjective

1. slang.
   inferior

Word History and Origins

Origin of pants¹

1830–40; short for pantaloons

Word History and Origins

Origin of pants¹

C19: shortened from pantaloons; see pantaloon

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. wear the pants, to have the dominant role; be in charge:

   I guess we know who wears the pants in that family.

More idioms and phrases containing pants

In addition to the idiom beginning with pants , also see ants in one's pants ; beat the pants off ; caught with one's pants down ; get the lead out of (one's pants) ; kick in the pants ; seat of the pants ; talk someone's arm (pants) off ; wear the pants .

Example Sentences

On Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, sexually suggestive hip thrusts may be allowed if the dancer’s pants are covered by a black box.

From Los Angeles Times

She was wearing slippers, comfy pants, a Dodgers hat and a T-shirt that said “Hecho en Highland Park CA” — Made in Highland Park.

From Los Angeles Times

The two men are in the midst of recounting their early days in theater, when Wilson didn’t make more than $17,000 annually for years and Madvi toured Florida with a production of “Aladdin” for kids so young they occasionally peed their pants during the performance.

From Los Angeles Times

When we got a new consigner, I was really excited, because I had seen these karate pants before in other fabrications, but I never saw them in this snakeskin.

From Los Angeles Times

Marquise wears Martine Rose and Supreme T-shirt, vintage cardigan from Millersroom, vintage Levi’s pants from Millersroom and Loewe shoes.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• knickers
• shorts
• slacks
• trousers
• underpants