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definitions

nightshirt

[nahyt-shurt]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR nightshirt ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a loose shirtlike garment reaching to the knees or lower, for wearing in bed.

RELATED WORDS

lingerie, pajamas, negligee, nightdress, sleeper, nightie, nightwear, jammies, loungewear, PJs

Origin of nightshirt

First recorded in 1840–50; night + shirt
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for nightshirt

Contemporary Examples of nightshirt

Historical Examples of nightshirt

  • The loaf was thoughtfully wrapped up in a nightshirt to preserve it from the effect of sun and salt water.

  • Jesse snatched off the wreck of his nightshirt and twisted it into a cord, running it through the belt of Reuben's breeches.

    Wilderness of Spring

    Edgar Pangborn

  • He rang the bell and finally produced from an upper window a nightshirt topped by a frowsy head.

    Excuse Me!

    Rupert Hughes

  • Ben found his mother and Jesse Plum in the hall, Jesse swinging his gaunt arms, one bare, the other trailing a wisp of nightshirt.

    Wilderness of Spring

    Edgar Pangborn

  • The fire takes the place of nightshirt, pyjamas, or blanket—a poor substitute on a cold night!

    Spinifex and Sand

    David W Carnegie

British Dictionary definitions for nightshirt

nightshirt

noun

a loose knee-length or longer shirtlike garment worn in bed by men
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012