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.
   bore the pants off to bore extremely
4. scare the pants off informal.
   scare the pants off 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

The Squeeze pants feature cargo-style pockets, with a zippered one in the front for tons of storage.

From Outside Online

Fast fashion sites like Shein have been churning out their takes on the pants trend at a ferocious pace.

From Vox

It’s hard to see how we can go back to a world of plain denim when there are pants options out there for everyone.

From Vox

The only other acceptable place to wear or carry a beacon is in an internally sewn, beacon-specific pants pocket.

From Outside Online

Its sliding outer case features a belt clip that keeps it from jumping out of your pants pocket and also functions as a stand.

From Popular-Science

So here I am in my requisite Lululemon pants, grunting along to an old hip-hop song at a most ungodly hour.

From The Daily Beast

He wore white gloves, a dignified long black coat, and matching pants and vest, and he carried a dark walking stick.

From The Daily Beast

If you Google “Muslim Christmas tree star” you will see a list of right-wing websites wetting their pants over this.

From The Daily Beast

The Plaza Hotel cooked a fancy-pants latke with red wine braised oxtail, horseradish sunchoke cream, and crispy kale.

From The Daily Beast

Shirtless bros with pillowy lips and cargo pants pulled down to expose tufts of pubic hair.

From The Daily Beast

You're ridin' game in a tough place, as any man has to do who starts with only his pants and his head on.

From Project Gutenberg

He is an old, grizzled man dressed in dungaree pants, a sweater, and a woolen cap with ear flaps.

From Project Gutenberg

He wears the same corduroy pants that Uncle Ben gave him on his twenty-first birthday.

From Project Gutenberg

He was of middle age, black as anthracite coal, bald-headed, (p. 226) and was dressed in pants and coat made of old sailcloth.

From Project Gutenberg

He was dressed in pants made of old sailcloth, and the tattered cast-off blouse of a Union soldier.

From Project Gutenberg

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.