pyjamas
Americannoun
plural noun
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loose-fitting nightclothes comprising a jacket or top and trousers
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full loose-fitting ankle-length trousers worn by either sex in various Eastern countries
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women's flared trousers or trouser suit used esp for leisure wear
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
John Boyne, best known for writing The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, was longlisted for the Polari Prize earlier this month for his latest novel Earth.
From BBC • Aug. 18, 2025
The play will mark Butterfield's first ever theatre role, following a screen career which has included The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and X+Y.
From BBC • Sep. 24, 2024
It is by John Boyne, author of The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, but I think this book is aimed for younger children.
From The Guardian • Aug. 22, 2012
I can imagine that whoever was given the job of editing Boyne, whose previous children's book was The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, might have felt a touch pusillanimous.
From The Guardian • Aug. 3, 2012
Pyjamas of Madras or pongee silk, very effective and pretty, can be had for a dollar and a half to three dollars a suit.
From The Complete Bachelor Manners for Men by Germain, Walter
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
