pants

American  

[pants] / pænts /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. trousers.

2. underpants, especially for women and children; panties.

3. British. men's underpants, especially long drawers.

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idioms

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

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

pants British  

/ pænts /

plural noun

1. an undergarment reaching from the waist to the thighs or knees

2. Also called: trousers.  a garment shaped to cover the body from the waist to the ankles or knees with separate tube-shaped sections for both legs

3. informal to bore extremely

4. informal to scare extremely

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adjective

1. slang inferior

pants More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing pants

• 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

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Usage

What is a basic definition of pants? Pants are an article of clothing that extends from the waist to around the ankles and fits around each leg.Also known as trousers, pants are worn by people of all genders and ages. As opposed to a dress or a skirt, pants are divided down the middle and have openings for each leg. The fabric of pants wrap around each leg and usually extends to the ankles or at least past the knees.A single item of this clothing is called “a pair of pants” and multiple items are called “pairs of pants.” This article of clothing is never referred to as a “pant.”Pants is a general term for this type of clothing and is further divided into other specific kinds of pants, depending on fabric and cut. Jeans are pants made out of denim or corduroy, while leggings are close-fitting pants, often made out of a stretchy material like spandex.An article of clothing that is identical to pants but stops at or before the knee is referred to as a pair of shorts.

• Used in a sentence: She bought three new pairs of pants to wear with her new sweater. 

Among British English speakers, trousers is used to describe this article of clothing. Pants is used specifically to refer to undergarments, especially long drawers worn by men.

Etymology

Origin of pants

1830–40; short for pantaloons

Example Sentences

He shared memories of doodling on his pants, rap battling in the courtyard and skating down El Segundo Boulevard with dreams of being famous.

From Los Angeles Times

Lululemon recently came under criticism from analysts for its partnership with the NFL, on concerns that it would further muddle the waters for a company better known for its yoga pants than for football merchandise.

From MarketWatch

Indiana is…jump shots and candy stripe warm-up pants.

From The Wall Street Journal

But I never in real life wear pants like that.

From The Wall Street Journal

A friend introduced him to the brand about two years ago and he has since purchased Arc’teryx jackets, pants and shoes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• knickers
• shorts
• slacks
• trousers
• underpants