pants

American  

[pants] / pænts /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. trousers.

2. underpants, especially for women and children; panties.

3. British. men's underpants, especially long drawers.

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idioms

1. wear the pants, to have the dominant role; be in charge.

   I guess we know who wears the pants in that family.

pants British  

/ pænts /

plural noun

1. an undergarment reaching from the waist to the thighs or knees

2. Also called: trousers.  a garment shaped to cover the body from the waist to the ankles or knees with separate tube-shaped sections for both legs

3. informal to bore extremely

4. informal to scare extremely

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adjective

1. slang inferior

pants More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing pants

• ants in one's pants
• beat the pants off
• caught with one's pants down
• get the lead out of (one's pants)
• kick in the pants
• seat of the pants
• talk someone's arm (pants) off
• wear the pants

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Usage

What is a basic definition of pants? Pants are an article of clothing that extends from the waist to around the ankles and fits around each leg.Also known as trousers, pants are worn by people of all genders and ages. As opposed to a dress or a skirt, pants are divided down the middle and have openings for each leg. The fabric of pants wrap around each leg and usually extends to the ankles or at least past the knees.A single item of this clothing is called “a pair of pants” and multiple items are called “pairs of pants.” This article of clothing is never referred to as a “pant.”Pants is a general term for this type of clothing and is further divided into other specific kinds of pants, depending on fabric and cut. Jeans are pants made out of denim or corduroy, while leggings are close-fitting pants, often made out of a stretchy material like spandex.An article of clothing that is identical to pants but stops at or before the knee is referred to as a pair of shorts.

• Used in a sentence: She bought three new pairs of pants to wear with her new sweater. 

Among British English speakers, trousers is used to describe this article of clothing. Pants is used specifically to refer to undergarments, especially long drawers worn by men.

Etymology

Origin of pants

1830–40; short for pantaloons

Example Sentences

He made his first branded video in 2016 for the pants startup McMacular, mocking the pensive style of Matthew McConaughey’s Lincoln car ads.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Yu recreated Hannah’s promo outfit, wearing a white jean jacket and pants combo, a sparkly pink top and a blond wig to round out the look.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

Velasquez said he later saw the kitten clinging to the officer’s pants.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026

Luo wore a long-sleeved sweatshirt, pants, and head covering in the chamber.

From Science Daily • Mar. 22, 2026

I fish the only remaining clean outfit from my dresser: a weird green T-shirt and my least favorite track pants with mismatched socks.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz

Related Words

• knickers
• shorts
• slacks
• trousers
• underpants