Pants Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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pants

[pænts ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

clothing

An outer garment covering the body from the waist to the ankles, with a separate part for each leg.

Synonyms

jeans, slacks, trousers.

Examples of usage

He wore a pair of black pants to the party.
She folded her pants and placed them in the drawer.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

British

Underpants.

Synonyms

briefs, knickers, underwear.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pants	Common term used in American English to refer to outerwear that covers from the waist to the ankles. In British English, the same word refers to underwear. He put on his pants before leaving the house. She bought a new pair of pants from the store.
underwear	General term used to describe any clothing worn beneath outer clothes. Applies to all types of undergarments for both men and women. He folded his clean underwear and put it away. She bought a new set of underwear.
knickers	British English term for women's underwear. In American English, it can also refer to knee-length trousers worn by young boys or golfers. She needed to buy some new knickers. He wore knickers while playing golf.
briefs	Specific type of tight-fitting underwear that provides full coverage and support. Often used for men’s underwear. He prefers wearing briefs for their support during workouts. She bought a pack of briefs for her son.

Examples of usage

He quickly changed his pants before going to bed.
She bought a new pair of pants from the store.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

informal

To criticize severely.

Synonyms

criticize, mock, ridicule.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pants	A term used primarily in British English to mean 'rubbish' or 'nonsense'. That movie was absolute pants!
criticize	Used in formal and informal situations when pointing out faults or expressing disapproval. The tone can be neutral but often carries a slightly negative implication. The teacher criticized the student's essay for its lack of clarity
ridicule	Typically used in more formal contexts to describe the act of making fun of someone or something in a way that shows a lack of respect. This term has a strong negative connotation. She was ridiculed by her peers for her unconventional fashion sense
mock	Often used in informal situations to imitate or make fun of someone or something in a mean-spirited way. This word carries a negative connotation. They mocked his accent during the entire meeting

Examples of usage

The boss will pants anyone who arrives late to work.
She was pantsed by her friends during the school assembly.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'pants'

The word 'pants' originated from the Hindi word 'pajama', meaning 'leg clothing'. It first entered the English language in the 1840s to refer to an outer garment worn by men covering each leg separately. Over time, the term 'pants' evolved to include various types of leg coverings, such as trousers and underpants, and to also be used as a verb in informal contexts. Today, 'pants' is a common term used in both American and British English to describe different types of legwear.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #7,944 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

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7941 fantastic
7942 spectacle
7943 imaginative
7944 pants
7945 prosecutor
7946 dome
7947 relying
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