nightclothes

IPA/ˈnaɪtkləʊðz/
IPA/ˈnaɪtkləʊðz/

nightclothes — noun

1. clothing designed for wearing in bed while sleeping, including pyjamas, nightgow

1.nounB1
Definition

clothing designed for wearing in bed while sleeping, including pyjamas, nightgowns, and similar garments

Example

Bao always changes into his nightclothes right after dinner.

collocation: change into your nightclothes

The shop sells cotton nightclothes for the whole family.

collocation: cotton / flannel nightclothes

Common collocations
  • change into your nightclothes
  • put on your nightclothes
  • wear nightclothes
  • cotton nightclothes
  • flannel nightclothes
  • warm nightclothes
  • comfortable nightclothes
  • clean nightclothes
  • a set of nightclothes
Synonyms
  • nightwear

    a more formal or commercial synonym, often used on shop signs or clothing labels

  • sleepwear

    a common marketing term that covers pyjamas, nightgowns, and robes

  • pyjamas

    the most common specific term for a two-piece sleeping outfit; narrower in meaning than 'nightclothes'

Grammar Patterns

always plural

Usage Note

Nightclothes is always used as a plural noun and refers generally to any clothing worn for sleeping. It is less common in everyday conversation than specific terms like 'pyjamas' (British English) or 'pajamas' (American English).

Common Mistakes

I bought a new nightcloth.
I bought some new nightclothes.
The word has no singular form and is always treated as plural.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Nightclothes is the broadest umbrella term, covering any garment worn for sleeping. Nightwear is a slightly more formal or commercial synonym, common in retail contexts (e.g. 'nightwear department'). Sleepwear is also used in marketing and labelling and often includes robes as well as sleeping garments. Pyjamas (or 'pajamas' in American English) is the most specific and common word, referring only to a two-piece set of a top and trousers. In everyday conversation, most speakers would say 'I put on my pyjamas' rather than 'I put on my nightclothes', even though the latter is correct.

nightclothes ↗nightwear ↗sleepwear ↗pyjamas

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • set of nightclothes
  • pair of nightclothes

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

A compound word formed from 'night' (the period of darkness, from Old English 'niht') and 'clothes' (garments worn on the body, from Old English 'clāþas', plural of 'clāþ'). The compound has been used in English since at least the 16th century to refer specifically to garments worn for sleeping.

First known use

1567

1567, in the meaning defined above