negligee

noun

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neg·li·gee | \ ˌne-glə-ˈzhā

, ˈne-glə-ˌzhā \

variants: or less commonly negligé

Definition of negligee

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 Esther, who can’t read but can sew like a virtuoso, supports herself by making negligees and corsets for women across the social strata. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Review: Lynn Nottage’s ‘Intimate Apparel’ gets an earnest, solidly acted revival at New Village Arts," 30 Sep. 2019 The only non-weirdo is Eurydice, who throws temper tantrums in her nighties and negligees, properly enraged by her mistreatment by men and gods. — Los Angeles Times, "Commentary: Where Barrie Kosky, Europe’s hot opera director, wants to make his American splash," 12 Sep. 2019 Her eyes seem to have lost their vigour, her complexion is now a dirty negligee pink satin. — Constance Grady, Vox, "13 amazing facts about Princess Margaret from Craig Brown’s new biography," 14 Aug. 2018 Selena Gomez's sheer dress for the Met Gala, designed by Stuart Vevers for Coach, is reminiscent of a negligee, crafted out of vintage cream silk gauze. — Harper's Bazaar Staff, Harper's BAZAAR, "Selena Gomez's Met Gala Dress is Nightgown Inspired," 8 May 2018 For that one night, Goldie Hawn—in a negligee—was the coolest mom in Hollywood. — Hilary Weaver, Vanities, "Goldie Hawn Once Crashed Her Teen Kids’ Party in a Negligee," 13 Oct. 2017 For that one night, Goldie Hawn—in a negligee—was the coolest mom in Hollywood. — Hilary Weaver, vanityfair.com, "Goldie Hawn Once Crashed Her Teen Kids’ Party in a Negligee," 13 Oct. 2017 Her closed eyes and negligee-like garment lend her the air of a somnambulist. — Robert Greskovic, WSJ, "‘Café Müller’ and ‘The Rite of Spring’ Reviews: A Posthumous Homecoming," 18 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'negligee.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for negligee

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

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