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

Michelle Collins, an accountant who works downtown, said it doesn’t make sense someone would remove their trousers at town hall to clean them off.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

After the show, we grabbed a few minutes with the 71-year-old rock star, who wore a beaded vest and tight silver-and-black trousers and sipped from a red plastic cup.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

Polo shirts, denim jackets or flared trousers from brands like Adidas, Fila, Sergio Tacchini, Lacoste, Slazenger, Stone Island and Fred Perry took over the full kit.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

He cut a distinctive figure in the music videos with his trademark square black sunglasses, a black blazer and black trousers.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

She’s dressed in black trousers and a long, colorful kameez.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

Related Words

• knickers
• slacks