negligee

noun

neg·​li·​gee ˌne-glə-ˈzhā 

ˈne-glə-ˌzhā

variants or less commonly negligé

1

: a woman's long flowing usually sheer dressing gown

2

: carelessly informal or incomplete attire

Examples of negligee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike the formal period clothing worn by the heroine in Lugosi’s film, Tovar was made to wear a negligee, instilling an impression that Latinas and Latino audiences have looser morals than their English-language counterparts, Morales said. —Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 27 Oct. 2024

According to the museum, many of the works have never been exhibited or seen outside the archives, including the corset of an 19th-century Parisian fashion plate, a 1938 Elsa Schiaparelli evening look, actress Mae West’s 1940s negligees and a 1952 cocktail dress by Christian Dior. —Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 14 Aug. 2024

Nigerian actress Temi Otedola oozed the mystery of a film noir femme fatale in a floor-length black coat, tightly cinched with the lacy hint of a negligee peeking out beneath. —Ian Malone, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2024

Elisa Benzoni’s elegant period costumes include modest bustiers, negligees and silk robes. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French négligé "casualness, casual or informal dress," from past participle of négliger "to disregard, neglect, treat carelessly," going back to Middle French negliger, borrowed from Latin neglegere, neclegere, necligere "to disregard, do nothing about, fail to care for" — more at neglect entry 1

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

negligee

noun

neg·​li·​gee

variants also negligé

ˌneg-lə-ˈzhā 

1

: a woman's long flowing dressing gown

2

: carelessly informal clothes

Etymology

derived from French négligé, past participle of négliger "to neglect"