tights

American  

[tahyts] / taɪts /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. a skin-tight, one-piece garment for the lower part of the body and the legs, now often made of stretch fabric, originally worn by dancers, acrobats, gymnasts, etc., and later made for general wear for adults and children.

2. a leotard with legs and, sometimes, feet.

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tights British  

/ taɪts /

plural noun

1. 1. Also called (US, Canadian, Austral, and NZ): pantyhose.  a one-piece clinging garment covering the body from the waist to the feet, worn by women in place of stockings

   2. Also called: leotards.  a similar, tight-fitting garment worn instead of trousers by either sex

2. a similar garment formerly worn by men, as in the 16th century with a doublet

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Etymology

Origin of tights

1825–35; noun use of tight; -s ³

Example Sentences

She was still in the same clothes she’d worn to school, still in those thick tights.

From Literature

At those days, women workers used to receive small gifts on International Women's Day -- "those famous tights, chocolates, carnations..."

From Barron's

After greeting students, chasing a football around, "attacking" shoelaces and tights, and exploring parts of the school she has never seen before, the pitter-patter of puppy paws slows down.

From BBC

At her last practice earlier in the day, she was perfectly comfortable bouncing around with a hole in her patterned black tights while others wore their competition dresses.

From The Wall Street Journal

Because this was just a girl around his age, wearing a plaid skirt, sparkly tights, and a T-shirt with a logo from the Fornax Force movies.

From Literature

Related Words

• hosiery
• pantyhose