pantyhose
MediumGeneral, informal, commercial.
Definition
Meaning
A sheer, close-fitting garment worn on the legs and lower body, combining panties and stockings into a single piece.
A one-piece nylon undergarment for women covering from the waist to the toes, used for warmth, modesty, style, or to enhance the appearance of the legs.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term primarily refers to the modern, sheer nylon version. It can be used as a count noun (a pair of pantyhose) or a mass noun (she wore pantyhose). The plural and singular forms are identical.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, the term 'tights' is often used synonymously, though 'tights' typically refers to opaque or thicker varieties. 'Pantyhose' is understood but is an Americanism in the UK. In the US, 'pantyhose' is standard for the sheer version, while 'tights' usually means opaque legwear.
Connotations
In the US, strongly associated with formal office wear, professional attire, and fashion from the late 20th century. In the UK, the equivalent term 'tights' has broader, more everyday connotations.
Frequency
The word 'pantyhose' is significantly more frequent in American English. In British English, 'tights' is the dominant term for the garment category.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
She wore [pantyhose].He bought her a pair of [pantyhose].Her [pantyhose] had a run.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A run in one's pantyhose/nylons (a sign of minor misfortune or unprofessionalism).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Common in dress codes for professional women's attire, e.g., 'The corporate policy required skirt suits and pantyhose.'
Academic
Rare, might appear in cultural studies, fashion history, or sociology texts discussing gender norms.
Everyday
Very common in personal shopping, dressing, and fashion advice contexts, especially among older generations.
Technical
Used in textile and garment manufacturing industries to specify a product type.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She decided to tights-up for the formal event.
American English
- She needed to pantyhose-up before the interview.
adjective
British English
- She had a tights-related mishap.
American English
- It was a pantyhose-friendly dress code.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She wears black pantyhose with her dress.
- I bought new pantyhose.
- Her new pantyhose are very comfortable.
- Do I need to wear pantyhose for the wedding?
- Despite the heat, the formal dress code required pantyhose.
- A snag ruined her favourite pair of sheer pantyhose.
- The gradual decline in pantyhose sales reflects shifting workplace formality and fashion norms.
- She opted for control-top pantyhose to achieve a smoother silhouette under the fitted gown.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine PANTS that are like HOSE (a flexible tube) – they cover your legs like a tube of fabric.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLOTHING IS A SECOND SKIN (sheer, skin-like covering).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'колготки' (kalgotki), which are usually opaque tights. 'Pantyhose' are specifically sheer. The direct Russian translation 'чулки' (chulki) means stockings (not one-piece).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'pantyhose' as a plural count noun without 'pair of' (e.g., 'I bought three pantyhose' is incorrect; use 'three pairs of pantyhose').
- Confusing 'pantyhose' (sheer) with 'leggings' (thick, athletic/casual).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'pantyhose' the most standard term for sheer legwear?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is usually treated as a singular mass noun (e.g., 'Pantyhose is annoying'), but when counting, we use 'pair(s) of pantyhose'.
Typically, 'pantyhose' are sheer and nude/black, while 'tights' are opaque and can be any colour. In the UK, 'tights' covers both categories.
Yes, though it is uncommon in Western fashion. They are sometimes worn for warmth, medical reasons (compression), or in certain performance contexts (e.g., theatre, ballet).
Dress codes have relaxed, making bare legs or trousers more acceptable. Also, fashion trends have moved towards more casual and comfortable attire.
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