negligee

American  

[neg-li-zhey, neg-li-zhey] / ˌnɛg lɪˈʒeɪ, ˈnɛg lɪˌʒeɪ /

Or negligée,

noun

1. a dressing gown or robe, usually of sheer fabric and having soft, flowing lines, worn by women.

2. easy, informal attire.

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negligee British  

/ ˈnɛɡlɪˌʒeɪ /

noun

1. a woman's light dressing gown, esp one that is lace-trimmed

2. a thin and revealing woman's nightdress

3. any informal attire

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Etymology

Origin of negligee

1745–55, < French négligé carelessness, undress, literally, neglected, past participle of négliger < Latin negligere, variant of neglegere to neglect

Example Sentences

"This is rather a squeamish business, Jack—" began the young minister in the negligée shirt.

From The Daughter of Anderson Crow by McCutcheon, George Barr

She spread her pretty wedding silver on the dressing-table, she hung her negligée with her hat and coat in the closet.

From New Faces by Neagle, Charles F.

The tears slid off her cheeks to the mussed frills of her negligée and dried there.

From Every Soul Hath Its Song by Hurst, Fannie

With one accord they rushed in the direction of the sound and discovered him in extreme negligée, to his even more extreme embarrassment.

From Edgar Saltus: The Man by Saltus, Marie

The selection of the rainbow furnishings of his house and of his own dressing-gowns, which made Joseph's coat mere negligée, was not altogether his own, but showed the unmistakable guiding hand of a woman.

From The Love Affairs of Great Musicians, Volume 2 by Hughes, Rupert