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tap pants

American  

noun

(used with a plural verb)
  1. women's loose-fitting underpants.

  2. women's loose-fitting shorts worn for exercising or other physical activity, as dancing.


Etymology

Origin of tap pants

First recorded in 1975–80; after the earlier use of such shorts for tap dancing

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.

On their spring runways, Jason Wu, Anna Sui and Dolce & Gabbana paraded high-waist swimsuits, tap pants and sundresses so modestly cut that they seemed prim.

From New York Times • May 21, 2012

They might not get the retro references with the lace that trims delicate blouses and the slinky embroidered tulle dress worn like a robe over tap pants, but they’ll look good in them.

From Washington Post • Sep. 15, 2011

Bean, J. Crew and Victoria's Secret are all but drained of hiking boots, chamois shirts and silk tap pants; we read in the newspapers of waiting lists for $4,000 handbags and $75,000 automobiles.

From Time Magazine Archive

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