jammies
Americannoun
Usage
What does jammies mean? Jammies is a very informal word for pajamas—the clothes you wear to sleep in.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 jammies. 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 word jammies to refer to what they’re wearing, it’s usually to refer to clothes worn for sleeping, but not always. For example, a person might drive to get a cup of coffee in the morning while still in their jammies or a college student might wake up and attend class in their jammies. People sometimes also use the word jammies 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 is used very informally.Example: OK, kids, time for bed—go brush your teeth and change into your dinosaur jammies.
Etymology
Origin of jammies
First recorded in 1925–30; jam- (by shortening of pajama ) + -y 2 + -s 3
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.
Her fashion is more kid-like, with playful heart, star and flower designs on jammies and flouncy preschool-friendly dresses and swim gear.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 12, 2023
I go upstairs and put on some jammies.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2022
We’ve all seen the social media posts: a cozy cabin or beach house filled with a pack of women, wine in hand, wearing matching jammies and laughing.
From Washington Post • Oct. 28, 2021
"I have a sneaking suspicion that they talk to each other every night when they’re in their jammies."
From Fox News • Aug. 21, 2021
She went to his room and brought him out in his jammies.
From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter
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.
