WordGarden.iobaggy
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /bˈæɡi/
US
- /ˈbæɡi/
Meanings
Adjective
loose and hanging in folds, especially in clothing
sagging or puffed into bag-like folds, especially under the eyes
Beyond the definition
Imagine your favorite jeans after a long summer—stretched out, comfortable, and definitely not tight. That's what this word means. It describes clothing (and sometimes body features, like the skin around the eyes) that are loose-fitting, droopy, or have extra fabric hanging around. It often signals a relaxed, casual style. You might see someone wearing skater-style pants in this fit, or notice baggy-looking eyes after a long, sleepless night.
The word evokes a feeling of looseness and comfort—think of a sack. While it can sometimes suggest that something is worn out or ill-fitting, it also works as a deliberate fashion choice. Even at sea, a sailor might describe sails as "baggy" when they bulge with wind instead of being pulled taut.
"Baggy" describes something that hangs loosely and has an abundance of extra material, creating a droopy or oversized appearance. It is most commonly used to describe clothing—think baggy jeans, a baggy sweater, or a baggy t-shirt. These garments aren’t tailored closely to the body; instead, they offer a relaxed fit with plenty of room to move.
However, "baggy" isn’t limited to clothes. It can also describe anything that becomes loose, slack, or swollen. For example, someone who has slept badly might have "baggy eyes," meaning the skin under their eyes is puffy and drooping. Similarly, a painter might describe a canvas as "baggy" if the fabric has stretched unevenly and lost its tension.
Historically, the adjective is linked to the noun bag, which helps explain its sense of sagging or hanging material.
So, whether you are describing a deliberate fashion statement, tired eyes, or a loose canvas, "baggy" always points to something that hangs loosely, looks oversized, and takes up more room than necessary—sometimes suggesting comfort, and sometimes indicating wear and tear.
Examples
- 1
Clothing style
He was wearing baggy jeans and a faded black hoodie.
- 2
Poor fit
The dress fits at the top, but it's too baggy around the waist.
- 3
Casual clothing
I prefer baggy T-shirts in the summer because they feel cooler.
- 4
Losing shape
These sweatpants always go baggy at the knees after a few hours.
- Phrasego baggy
become looser and lose their shape
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Tired appearance
After the overnight flight, he had baggy eyes and looked half asleep.
- Phrasebaggy eyes
swollen or loose skin under the eyes
See also
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- baggyadjective
Forms
- baggiercomparativeadjective
- baggiestsuperlativeadjective