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

It wasn’t until 1989 that a woman wore pants on the Senate floor, after a fed-up lawmaker defied the Capitol dress code on a cold day in Sacramento.

From Los Angeles Times

Models purposefully walked down the runway in flowing suits of crushed velvet and satin, matching leather mini-shorts and jackets, sequined hot pants and tank top sets in yellow smiley graphics and graffiti print.

From Los Angeles Times

Dressed in green leather pants and a matching green cardigan, Mase was offering a simple solution to a complicated problem.

From Los Angeles Times

In Kabul, Javid’s father broke down inconsolably as he showed us photos of the young man with short black hair wearing track pants and a sweatshirt, posing on a park bench.

From BBC

He greeted me wearing gray felt slippers, green pants and a rust-colored down vest at the door of the large brick home that he had lived in for the past 22 years.

From Salon

Related Words

• knickers
• shorts
• slacks
• trousers
• underpants

More About Pants

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.

Where does pants come from?

The first records of pants come from the 1830s. It is a shortening of the older word pantaloons, which refers to a men’s close-fitting garment worn around the legs, especially popular in the 19th century.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for pants?

• trousers
• slacks
• underpants

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

• pantaloons
• underpants
• wear the pants
• caught with one’s pants down

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

• clothing
• legs
• jeans
• khaki
• formal
• casual

How is pants used in real life?

Pants is an extremely common word to refer to a very common article of clothing.

Been wearing my pants inside out all day. Only just noticed.

— Patrick Grant (@paddygrant) December 14, 2020

Yes, I am interviewing the CEO of a major travel brand on Zoom this morning and, no, I will not be wearing pants. Carry on! #freelancing

— Matt Villano (@mattvillano) December 11, 2020

I already spilled salsa on my brand new pants :(

— Kel (@4CripesCake) December 17, 2020

Try using pants!

True or False?

The fabric of pants stops above the knee.