slacks
B1Informal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A pair of casual trousers, typically for men or women, that are not part of a suit and are worn in informal or semi-formal contexts.
Can refer to trousers for women that are not jeans or formal trousers. In a broader, less common sense, as a verb ('to slack') it means to become less active or intense, or to neglect one's duties.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Almost exclusively used in the plural form when referring to trousers. The singular 'slack' exists primarily as a verb or adjective (e.g., slack rope). The term for trousers often implies a degree of smartness or being 'dressed up' compared to jeans.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'slacks' is a dated or less common term, often associated with older or more formal catalogs. 'Trousers' or 'chinos' are more frequent. In American English, it remains a standard, though somewhat dated, term for non-jeans casual trousers, particularly for women's smart-casual wear.
Connotations
In American English, it can imply a specific type of smart-casual trouser, often for office wear (e.g., 'dress slacks'). In British English, it may sound old-fashioned or overly specific.
Frequency
More commonly used and recognized in American English. Its usage has declined in both varieties in favour of more specific terms like 'chinos', 'trousers', or 'pants'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
wear + slacksput on + slacksa pair of + slacksVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “dress slacks (and a blazer)”
- “a pair of good slacks”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in 'business casual' contexts, e.g., 'The policy allows dress slacks and a polo shirt.'
Academic
Rare, except in descriptive studies of fashion or sociolinguistics discussing lexical variation.
Everyday
Common in contexts like shopping or discussing wardrobe choices, e.g., 'I need to buy some new slacks for the office.'
Technical
Not used in technical contexts. The verb 'slack' has technical uses in sailing or engineering (slack rope).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He often slacks off in the afternoon if the boss isn't around.
American English
- You can't afford to slack on your responsibilities now.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She wears black slacks to work.
- I bought new slacks.
- For the dinner, smart slacks and a shirt are required.
- He prefers slacks to jeans for casual Fridays.
- The dress code explicitly forbade jeans but permitted tailored slacks.
- Her wardrobe consisted of several pairs of linen slacks for the summer.
- The linguistic shift from 'slacks' to 'chinos' reflects changing fashion norms and marketing trends.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of SLACKS as being less formal than suit trousers, so you can be more 'slack' (relaxed) when wearing them.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLOTHING FOR RELAXATION (The garment is metonymically linked to a state of being less tight or formal).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as 'слаксы' – this is a non-existent word. Use 'брюки' or 'штаны'.
- Do not confuse with the English verb 'to slack', which translates as 'халтурить' or 'бездельничать'.
- The word sounds similar to the Russian 'слакс' (a brand or slang), causing potential false cognates.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'slacks' as a singular noun (e.g., 'a slack'). It is almost always plural.
- Confusing 'slacks' with 'slack' (the verb/adjective).
- Overusing the term in British English contexts where 'trousers' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'slacks' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a plural noun. You say 'these slacks are...' and 'a pair of slacks'.
In American English, 'pants' is the general term for the garment covering both legs. 'Slacks' is a subset of pants, implying smarter, casual trousers, often for semi-formal occasions, and is not used for jeans, leggings, or suit trousers.
Yes, absolutely. While historically used for men's trousers, it is now commonly used for women's smart-casual trousers, especially in the phrase 'dress slacks'.
It is perceived as somewhat dated, especially among younger speakers and in British English. However, it remains in active, though declining, use in American English, particularly in retail and descriptions of business-casual attire.
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