pyjamas

American  

[puh-jah-muhz, -jam-uhz] / pəˈdʒɑ məz, -ˈdʒæm əz /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. a variant of pajamas.

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pyjamas British  

/ pəˈdʒɑːməz /

plural noun

1. loose-fitting nightclothes comprising a jacket or top and trousers

2. full loose-fitting ankle-length trousers worn by either sex in various Eastern countries

3. women's flared trousers or trouser suit used esp for leisure wear

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Usage

What does pyjamas mean? Pyjamas is an alternate spelling of pajamas—the clothes you wear to sleep in. The spelling pyjamas is typically used by speakers of British English. The word is commonly and informally abbreviated as p.j.’s. You could say that whatever clothes you change into before going to bed are your pajamas. Traditionally, though, pajamas are specifically made and sold as clothes for sleeping in, typically consisting of soft, loose-fitting pants or shorts and a (sometimes matching) top. However, there are many different types and styles, such as nightgowns. Clothes considered pajamas aren’t only worn for sleeping, though. For example, a person might drive to get a cup of coffee in the morning while still wearing their pajamas, or a college student might wake up and attend class in their pajamas. People also commonly use the terms p.j.’s and pajamas to refer to the clothes they wear to lounge in (also called loungewear), especially before bed (even if they then change into another set of pajamas to sleep in). Even more informal terms for pajamas are jammies, jams, and jam-jams. These are typically used by children, adults speaking to children, or people using childish words to be silly. The word sleepwear is sometimes used as a more formal synonym for pajamas, especially in the name of a department in a clothing store or a section of a clothing website. More formal terms, like nightclothes and nightwear, are rarely used. The word pyjama and pajama, without an s, are used as modifiers in terms involving pyjamas, such as pyjama pants. Example: When I get home tonight, I’m changing into my most comfortable pyjamas, snuggling under the covers, and watching the telly.

Etymology

Origin of pyjamas

C19: from Hindi, from Persian pāi leg + jāmah clothing, garment

Example Sentences

"I remember watching it in the house and my daughter's pyjamas were exactly the same as the Scotland strip."

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

In the video she can be seen wearing pink pyjamas with her son behind her.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

However, this hearing was primarily about the events of this year – when Delta Force troops forcibly removed Maduro from Venezuelan soil in his pyjamas to face drug trafficking charges in New York.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

To which Calum responded: "Are you about to DM the future king of the United Kingdom about me in my pyjamas?"

From BBC • Dec. 4, 2025

She sobbed and hugged Aunt Gloria, saying it couldn’t possibly be Salim, while Dad started throwing outdoor clothes on over his pyjamas and Kat stood there, gripping me.

From "The London Eye Mystery" by Siobhan Dowd