sleepwear

IPA/ˈsliːp.weər/
KK[slˈipwˌɛr]IPA/ˈsliːp.wer/

sleepwear — noun

1. clothes that you wear in bed, such as pyjamas or nightgowns

1.nounA2
Definition

clothes that you wear in bed, such as pyjamas or nightgowns

Example

Mei-Lin packed her silk sleepwear for the honeymoon trip to Bali.

collocation: silk sleepwear

The hotel gift shop sells soft cotton sleepwear for guests who forget to bring their own.

noun modifier: cotton sleepwear

Common collocations
  • cotton sleepwear
  • silk sleepwear
  • warm sleepwear
  • children's sleepwear
  • comfortable sleepwear
Synonyms
  • pyjamas

    more specific, refers to the two-piece set of a shirt and trousers

  • nightclothes

    slightly old-fashioned, broader term for any clothing worn in bed

Grammar Patterns

sleepwear + singular verb agreement

Usage Note

Sleepwear is an uncountable noun that refers to the category as a whole. To talk about individual items, use the specific names: pyjamas, nightgown, nightdress, or dressing gown.

Common Mistakes

I bought a new sleepwear.
I bought new sleepwear.
Sleepwear is uncountable; do not use 'a' before it.
These sleepwears are on sale.
These items of sleepwear are on sale.
Sleepwear has no plural form.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Sleepwear is the broad category term for any clothing designed to be worn in bed. Pyjamas (pajamas in American English) specifically refers to a two-piece set of a shirt and trousers, while a nightgown (or nightdress) is a one-piece dress-like garment worn mainly by women and girls. Nightclothes is an older, less common synonym that covers the same range as sleepwear. Lingerie overlaps with sleepwear at the edges but emphasises stylish or seductive undergarments rather than practical sleep clothing. For example: 'She bought silk pyjamas for the trip' focuses on a specific garment type, whereas 'The store sells children's sleepwear' refers to the whole category.

pyjamasnightgown ↗nightclothes ↗lingerie ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • sleepwear department
  • sleepwear collection
  • sleepwear brand

Phrases

  • a piece of sleepwear
  • items of sleepwear

Etymology

Old EnglishModern English

Sleepwear combines the Old English verb slǣpan ('to sleep') and the noun werian ('clothing'), forming a compound that literally means 'clothing for sleeping'. It entered common use in the early 20th century, when department stores began creating dedicated sections for bedroom clothing, gradually replacing the older term nightclothes.