noun
pants
pants
noun
1
An outer garment covering the body from the waist down, with separate legs; trousers.
"He bought a new pair of pants for the interview."
2
An undergarment covering the lower body; underpants.
"She pulled on a clean pair of pants before getting dressed."
adj
1
Informal British slang for something of poor quality or disappointing.
"That film was absolute pants."
How to Use Pants
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTrousers (US) or underwear (UK) — the meaning flips depending on which side of the Atlantic you're on.
UK vs US
In American English "pants" means trousers; in British English it means underwear (trousers are called "trousers"). This causes constant transatlantic confusion.
Word Forms
more pants comparative, pantsed past tense, pantses singular, most pants superlative
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He bought a new pair of _____ for the interview.
Etymology
Shortened from "pantaloons," itself from the Italian stock character Pantalone, known for wearing tight trousers.