trousers
TROW-zuhz
Trousers (noun) means a garment covering the body from the waist to the ankles, with a separate section for each leg. Example: “He ironed his trousers before the interview.”
noun
1
A garment covering the body from the waist to the ankles, with a separate section for each leg.
"The trousers need to be shortened."
"He ironed his trousers before the interview."
"She rolled up her trousers to wade across the stream."
"These trousers are too long, so I need to have them taken up."
How to use trousers
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe standard British word for what Americans usually call "pants."
UK vs US
British English uses "trousers"; American English typically says "pants," reserving "trousers" for more formal contexts.
Common pairings
a pair of trousers
roll up your trousers
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Etymology
Recorded from the early 1600s, evolving from an earlier word "trouse," which traces back through French and Old Irish to a Germanic word for leg-coverings — ultimately built from roots meaning "thigh" and "breeches."
Class of 1600
trousers joined the language around 1600.
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Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “trousers” mean?
The word “trousers” means a garment covering the body from the waist to the ankles, with a separate section for each leg. In plain terms, the standard British word for what Americans usually call "pants.".
How do you pronounce “trousers”?
“Trousers” is pronounced TROW-zuhz (/ˈtɹaʊzɚz/ in IPA).
How do you use “trousers” in a sentence?
Here is “trousers” used in a sentence: “He ironed his trousers before the interview.”
What part of speech is “trousers”?
“Trousers” is a noun.
Where does the word “trousers” come from?
The word “trousers” dates back to around 1600 and comes from French. Recorded from the early 1600s, evolving from an earlier word "trouse," which traces back through French and Old Irish to a Germanic word for leg-coverings — ultimately built from roots meaning "thigh" and "breeches.".
Is “trousers” a common word?
“Trousers” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between trousers and pants?
Trousers and pants generally refer to the same garment covering the body from the waist to the ankles with separate sections for each leg, but trousers is the more common term in British English while pants is standard in American English. In British English, 'pants' instead usually refers to underwear, which can cause confusion between the two dialects.
Is 'trousers' singular or plural?
Trousers is grammatically treated as a plural noun, taking a plural verb as in 'these trousers are too long,' even though it refers to a single garment. To specify quantity, English speakers typically say 'a pair of trousers' rather than 'one trouser.'
Is it correct to say 'a trouser' for one pair?
No, standard usage requires 'a pair of trousers' to refer to a single garment, since trousers is always treated as a plural noun. 'Trouser' does appear as a singular modifier in phrases like 'trouser pocket' or 'trouser leg,' but not as a standalone count noun for the whole garment.
