jams
1 Americannoun
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.
For spectators, car travel will often remain faster, despite the risk of traffic jams, very limited access to the resorts and reservation-only parking.
From Barron's
Commuter trains in the Moscow area were delayed, AFP reporters witnessed, and cars were stuck in long traffic jams on Thursday evening.
From Barron's
Taking the train, in theory, allows her to avoid any traffic jams — or, even worse, pileups that some states have experienced in recent days.
From MarketWatch
The Sunday Express says figures from the Department for Transport shows central London has the worst traffic jams in the country, with vehicles moving at just six-point-nine miles per hour on average.
From BBC
So many responded that traffic jams have brought roads in this part of rural Chongqing in south-west China to a standstill.
From BBC
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.
