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

Macy wears a trench, and beneath it, a sheer negligee. —Charlie Markbreiter, Them., 21 Oct. 2025

And arguments rage among fans over details such as the exact color of sequins on a negligee worn by a character named Magenta. —Neda Ulaby, NPR, 27 Sep. 2025

Bobo’s own mother drinks late into the night, and frequently passes out in a silky negligee, clutching a machine gun. —Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 12 July 2025

The image became so indelible that the negligee Simon wore was included in her exhibit at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame when she was inducted in 2022. —David Browne, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2025

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"