nightgown

IPA/ˈnaɪtɡaʊn/
IPA/ˈnaɪtɡaʊn/

nightgown — noun

  • nightgownsingular
  • nightgownsplural

1. sleep clothing for women or girls that hangs from the shoulders like a simple dr

1.nounB2
Definition

sleep clothing for women or girls that hangs from the shoulders like a simple dress.

Example

Jisoo hung her satin nightgown on the bathroom hook after showering.

material modifier: satin nightgown

The patient asked for a clean nightgown before her evening check.

common hospital context: a clean nightgown

Common collocations
  • silk/cotton/lace nightgown
  • wear a nightgown
  • in a nightgown
  • long nightgown
Synonyms
  • nightdress

    same basic garment, but more common in British English

  • nightie

    informal and often used for a lighter or shorter version

  • negligee

    more decorative and often more romantic in tone

Grammar Patterns

a/the + nightgown

in + a nightgown

nightgown + of/in + material

Usage Note

Usually the standard American term for this garment; British English more often uses 'nightdress'. In ordinary use, it refers to women's or girls' sleepwear rather than men's.

Common Mistakes

He packed a nightgown for the business trip.
He packed pyjamas for the business trip.
in ordinary use, a nightgown refers to women's or girls' sleepwear.
a night gown
a nightgown
modern standard spelling writes the word as one compound noun.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words refer to dress-shaped clothes worn in bed, but they differ in variety and tone. 'Nightgown' is the usual American choice and sounds neutral, so it fits everyday situations such as packing for hospital or getting ready for sleep at home. 'Nightdress' points to the same kind of garment, but it is the more usual British word. 'Nightie' is informal and domestic, often used inside families for a shorter or lighter item. 'Negligee' suggests something sheer, decorative, or deliberately attractive rather than plain practical sleepwear. If a nurse asks what clothing a patient needs, 'nightgown' is a safe neutral word; if a friend talks about a pretty lace item, 'negligee' may be the better fit.

nightgown ↗nightdress ↗nightie ↗negligee

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • change into a nightgown
  • still in a nightgown

Prepositions

  • in (a nightgown)

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

The word is a straightforward English compound of 'night' and 'gown'. Because 'gown' already meant a long loose garment, the compound came to mean the dress-like clothing worn for sleeping, especially by women and girls.