pants

pants · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    (North American) An outer garment covering the body from the waist to the ankles, with separate parts for each leg; trousers.

  2. 2.

    (British) Underwear; underpants.

  3. 3.

    (British, informal) Something of poor quality; rubbish.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    wear the pants — to be the dominant partner in a relationship
  • •
    catch with one's pants down — to surprise someone in an embarrassing situation
  • •
    fly by the seat of one's pants — to act without a clear plan, improvising
  • •
    ants in one's pants — unable to sit still; restless
  • •
    put one's pants on one leg at a time — to be an ordinary person like everyone else

Related words

See also: clothing, jeans, slacks, trousers
Synonyms: jeans, slacks, trousers

Etymology

From pantaloons, shortened form, derived from Italian Pantaloni, a stock character in commedia dell'arte who wore tight trousers. Named after Saint Pantaleone, a patron saint of Venice.