jams
noun
jams
1 American
[jamz]
/ dʒæmz /
noun
(used with a plural verb)
Jams
2
American
[jamz]
/ dʒæmz /
Trademark.
Usage
What does jams mean? Jams is a very informal word for pajamas—the clothes you wear to sleep in. The word jammies means the same thing but is more common. Terms like jammies, jams, and jam-jams are typically used by children, adults speaking to children, or people using childish words to be silly. A more common synonym for pajamas is p.j.’s, which is informal but not as informal as jammies. You could say that whatever clothes children change into before going to bed are their jams. Traditionally, though, the word refers to clothes that were specifically made and sold for sleeping in, typically consisting of soft, loose-fitting pants or shorts and a (sometimes matching) top. When adults use the words jams or jammies to refer to what they’re wearing, it’s usually to refer to clothes worn for sleeping, but not always. People sometimes use such terms to refer to the clothes they wear to lounge in, especially before bed, though the terms p.j.’s and pajamas are more likely to be used this way. In all cases, the word jams is used very informally. The word jams is also the plural of the noun jam or a present-tense version of the verb jam, both of which have many meanings. Example: OK, kids, time for bed—go brush your teeth and change into your dinosaur jams.
Etymology
Origin of jams
First recorded in 1965–70; by shortening
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
I ping-ponged from soft cheeses to eggs and squash, then past a gelato cart and a table crowded with jams, pepper jellies and a milk carton filled with VHS tapes.
From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026
Hostess donuts and cupcakes, it turned out, are surprisingly unlike Smucker jams, peanut butter and coffee.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
“I used to think that songs like ‘King Solomon’s Marbles’ were just jams and conversations on the spot.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026
It is easy to get to and from as the wide avenues surrounding the stadium allow traffic to make their getaway without jams.
From BBC ● Jun. 25, 2026
I come down from the ceiling for a second only to see if she’s seriously about to put on some old-lady jams.
From "Sparrow" by Sarah Moon
Jams, jellies and marmalades are a classic way to preserve summer fruits or turn a bounty of sour winter citrus into something sweet.
From Salon ● Dec. 6, 2023
Detroit proto-punks The MC5 wanted to capture the energy of their electric live shows on Kick Out the Jams.
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2023
Jams, jellies and honeys make perfect pairings for much of what’s on offer.
From Washington Times ● Jul. 18, 2023
After Mitchell mentioned how much she missed hearing her own instruments played, Carlile began organizing Joni Jams, monthly jam sessions at Mitchell’s Bel Air home.
From New York Times ● Apr. 20, 2023
But, as has been classically said, Jams ate is.
From Punch - Volume 25 (Jul-Dec 1853) by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
