trousers

American  

[trou-zerz] / ˈtraʊ zərz /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. Also called pants.  Sometimes a usually loose-fitting outer garment for the lower part of the body, having individual leg portions that reach typically to the ankle but sometimes to any of various other points from the upper leg down.

2. pantalets.

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trousers British  

/ ˈtraʊzəz /

plural noun

1. a garment shaped to cover the body from the waist to the ankles or knees with separate tube-shaped sections for both legs

2. US equivalent: wear the pants.  informal to have control, esp in a marriage

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Other Word Forms

• trousered adjective
• trouserless adjective

Etymology

Origin of trousers

1585–95; trouse (variant of trews ) + (draw)ers (in the sense “undergarment with legs”)

Compare meaning

How does trousers compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• trousers vs. slacks

Example Sentences

For some game men, that means awfully bright trousers, worn with a wink.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s high season in Palm Beach, Fla., and for some bold male dressers, that means awfully bright trousers, worn with a wink.

From The Wall Street Journal

It was much like a man’s suit, gray with a collared shirt and tie, but formfitting and with trousers hemmed at her knees.

From Literature

Theo is wearing not only trousers and a jacket but also an outdoor coat.

From Literature

Clark, who wore a green jumper, black trousers and a beige coat in the dock, put her hand to her face.

From BBC

Related Words

• knickers
• slacks