/ pænts; NAmE / noun [ pl. ]
1.
( BrE ) underpants or knickers :
a pair of pants
2.
( especially NAmE ) trousers :
a new pair of pants
ski pants
—see also cargo pants
3.
( BrE , slang ) (also used as an adjective) something you think is of poor quality
SYN rubbish :
Their new CD is absolute pants!
Do we have to watch this pants programme?
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IDIOMS
- bore, scare, etc. the pants off sb
—more at ant , catch verb , seat noun , wear verb , wet verb
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 19th cent.: abbreviation of pantaloons .