trousers

[trou-zerz]

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.

trousers

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• trouserless adjective
• trousered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of trousers¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of trousers¹

C17: from earlier trouse , a variant of _trews , influenced by _drawers

Example Sentences

The Crash Detectives cameras show forensic investigators finding orange fibres from Mr Parry's orange high-vis trousers on the wheel of his Evo.

From BBC

The duchess, who announced her arrival in Paris with an Instagram story, wore a white outfit of wide-leg trousers and a matching blazer from the collection for the show on Saturday.

From BBC

She was referred to by police as "the woman in pink", because she was dressed in a pink floral top, pink trousers and pink shoes.

From BBC

She was last seen wearing a green puffer jacket and burgundy trousers and was carrying a black leather handbag.

From BBC

"Those trousers are still somewhere, but I certainly couldn't fit in them now."

From BBC

Related Words

• knickers 
• slacks