What does legging mean?
Legging denotes a close-fitting garment covering the leg and, in contemporary English, usually appears in the plural as leggings for a pair of stretchy trousers worn for exercise, sport, or casual dress. These garments can be made from cotton, lycra, jersey, faux leather, and other materials, and may extend from the waist to the feet or stop below the knee. Although often grouped with tights, leggings are commonly opaque, while tights are generally thinner and may cover the feet as part of a single garment. The word also has a historical sense for a protective covering or armor for the leg. In modern usage, leggings is strongly associated with fitness clothing and relaxed athleisure styles, although the garment is worn across age groups and for both practical and fashionable purposes. Because leggings is conventional as a plural noun, speakers usually use the plural form even when referring to a single pair. The word’s long history as leg protection contrasts with its familiar modern image as flexible everyday wear.
nounA close-fitting trouser leg or, usually in the plural leggings, one of a pair of trousers covering the legs from the waist to the ankle or foot. The word can also denote a protective covering or piece of armor for the leg.
- A close-fitting trouser leg, usually referred to collectively in the plural as leggings.
- A protective covering or piece of armor for the leg.
"She wore black leggings with a loose white top and trainers."
"These stretch leggings are comfortable enough for the long walk home."
"The dancer wore metallic leggings beneath a short tunic."
The standard plural and the usual form when referring to a complete pair of close-fitting trousers.
"She wore black leggings with white trainers."
From protective leg coverings to the sleek pants of modern athleisure, leggings have covered a lot of ground.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does legging come from?
Legging was formed in English from leg and -ing and is recorded by the late 16th century as a garment or covering for the leg. Over subsequent centuries, the word developed the sense of close-fitting trousers, with the plural leggings becoming dominant in modern clothing. It belongs to the same English word family as leg, legged, legless, and leggedness; leg itself continues Old English lēg.
How legging is actually used
Legging is now associated chiefly with close-fitting exercise and casual clothing. The plural leggings is conventional when referring to a complete pair, even though the singular form remains common in dictionary entries and historical descriptions.
Easily confused with legging
A legging can refer to a single leg covering, while leggings is the usual plural form for the complete pair of close-fitting trousers.