What does pyjama mean?
A pyjama is a comfortable, loose-fitting garment worn for sleeping or relaxing at home. It is generally understood as a two-piece outfit consisting of a top and trousers, and in British English the plural pyjamas is more usual when referring to the set as a whole. The word is strongly associated with domestic, informal, and bedtime contexts: someone might put on pyjamas after work, wear them while reading, or find a pair in a hotel room. The British spelling is pyjama, whereas American English normally uses pajama. Although pyjamas are not necessarily made of the same material, flannel, cotton, and fleece are common choices. The term can also be used more broadly for sleepwear, but it most often denotes the familiar jacket-and-trousers combination worn in bed.
nounA loose jacket and pair of trousers worn for sleeping or lounging, especially at home or in bed. In British usage, pyjamas commonly refers to the complete outfit in the plural.
- A loose two-piece garment worn for sleeping or lounging.
- In the plural, the complete set consisting of a loose top and matching trousers.
"She put on a pair of soft pyjamas and settled down to read before bed."
"He changed into pyjamas and went downstairs to make some tea."
"The hotel provides pyjamas, slippers, and toiletries in every room."
The plural is standard in British English when referring to the complete outfit. A single item can be called a pyjama, though this form is less common in everyday British usage.
"She bought several pairs of pyjamas for the hotel stay."
A British word with an American cousin: British English uses pyjama, but US English normally spells it pajama.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pyjama come from?
The word entered English from South Asian usage, where forms such as pyjama and piyama were borrowed from Hindi and Urdu. These forms in turn reflect Persian piyāmeh, meaning a leg garment or clothing covering the legs. English later developed both the British spelling pyjama and the related American spelling pajama, both now established in their respective varieties.
How pyjama is actually used
The word is especially associated with British English and Commonwealth usage. Although singular pyjama is grammatically possible, pyjamas is the normal form when referring to the whole outfit in British English. It is informal and domestic rather than formal.
Easily confused with pyjama
Pyjama is the usual British spelling, while pajama is the usual US spelling; they refer to the same item of clothing.