Sleepwear

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Apparel intended to be worn during the night for rest, emphasizing softness and comfort for maximum relaxation
2. Clothes designed specifically to be worn during sleep to ensure comfort throughout the night
3. Garments made for wearing at bedtime that prioritize ease and relaxation while resting

Etymology: Sleepwear is a plain compound: "sleep" joined to "wear," the same "wear" that means to have clothing on the body. The second half traces back through Old English "werian" and Proto-Germanic "wazjanąć" to an ancient root meaning to put on or dress oneself, so the word is essentially "clothing for sleep" built from two very old English building blocks. The "-wear" element has become a productive ending in modern English, which is why it attaches so readily to new categories like swimwear, activewear, and eyewear. Sleepwear follows the same pattern, pairing a bedtime activity with a general word for garments.

Synonyms: pajamas, nightwear