negligee

or neg·li·gée, neg·li·gé

[ neg-li-zhey, neg-li-zhey ]

noun

1. a dressing gown or robe, usually of sheer fabric and having soft, flowing lines, worn by women.
2. easy, informal attire.

negligee

/ ˈnɛɡlɪˌʒeɪ /

noun

1. a woman's light dressing gown, esp one that is lace-trimmed
2. a thin and revealing woman's nightdress
3. any informal attire

Word History and Origins

Origin of negligee¹

1745–55, Americanism; < French négligé carelessness, undress, literally, neglected, past participle of négliger < Latin negligere, variant of neglegere to neglect

Word History and Origins

Origin of negligee¹

C18: from French négligée, past participle (fem) of négliger to neglect

Example Sentences

Blake: That sex montage, much like the one that opened the season, was a tad overwhelming, but at least this time no one was traipsing around their apartment in negligees and kitten heels.

From Los Angeles Times

She came down in an almost-transparent negligee and told the men as they put on their coats: “Do the right thing, do a favor for me — whatever you gave, now double it.”

From Washington Post

Sobchak famously answered the door for the police wearing a negligee, and the agents confiscated roughly $1.5 million in cash, in dollars and euros, from her safe.

From Washington Post

Orion Kamphefner, 22, who uses the pronouns they and them, was looking for doilies and found a negligee they were considering bringing back to their roommate.

From New York Times

Two days later, she left work and found a bag on her parked car with love notes, thong underwear and a lace negligee inside.

From Seattle Times