nightie
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /nˈaɪti/
US
- /nˈaɪti/
Description
- sleepwear
- loose dress for sleeping
- nightdress
- bedtime clothes
Imagine someone getting ready for bed, pulling on a soft, loose piece of sleepwear instead of pajamas. That is the usual picture here. A nightie is an informal word for a nightdress, a simple dress worn by a woman or girl for sleeping. It is often made of cotton, silk, or another soft fabric, and it may be plain or have a pretty pattern. The word is common in everyday speech and often sounds warm, gentle, or a little old-fashioned.
A nightie is an informal word for a nightdress, a loose dress worn to sleep in. It is usually worn by a woman or a girl and is made from soft fabric such as cotton, silk, satin, or linen. Some are plain and practical, while others are made to look pretty or feel special. In everyday use, the word usually refers to simple bedtime clothing rather than formal fashion.
The word has a familiar, gentle feel because it is a shorter and more casual way of saying "nightdress." Many people connect it with children, bedtime routines, or older styles of sleepwear, but it is not only used for children. Adults use the word too, especially when talking in a relaxed or affectionate way about what someone wears to bed.
You may also see the word in stories or descriptions that want to create a soft, private, homely feeling. A person in a nightie may be shown as cozy, sleepy, vulnerable, or simply at home and relaxed. In older writing, the word can also suggest a traditional picture of bedtime or domestic life.
So if you picture someone brushing their teeth, turning off the light, and climbing into bed in a soft sleeping dress, you have the right idea. The word points to comfort, bedtime, and a simple, familiar kind of sleepwear.
Examples
- 1
Bedtime
She put on her nightie and got into bed.
- 2
At home
Don't answer the door in your nightie.
- 3
Clothing layers
She threw a dressing gown over her nightie before going downstairs.
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- nightienoun
Forms
- nightiespluralnoun