pants

[pants]

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. trousers.

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

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

pants

/ 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

adjective

1. slang,  inferior

Word History and Origins

Origin of pants¹

1830–40; short for pantaloons

Word History and Origins

Origin of pants¹

C19: shortened from pantaloons; see _pantaloon

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

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

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

Example Sentences

Apart from the critical raves and awards, though, the film made her a fashion icon via Annie’s fedora hats, vests, ties and baggy pants.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Crew members in cargo pants prepare scenery on stage, the costume department steams dresses and hairstylists comb wigs in a basement room backstage.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

She wears a vibrant pink getup — a vintage top and Issey Miyake pants — complete with small pleats and optimal for the unavoidable August heat wave.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

With his pants around his ankles, a tall man let out a volley of curses and jokes to lighten the mood as a doctor removed a piece of shrapnel from his bloodied buttock.

Read more on Barron's

The putrid chamber drama becomes a fantasia, befouled rags turn into tuxedo pants and it’s finally safe to belt how they feel.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• knickers 
• shorts 
• slacks 
• trousers 
• underpants 

When To Use

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.