Definition

1. Noun:
   • A tight-fitting garment that covers the leg, typically from the knee to the ankle, and is worn for warmth, protection, or fashion. Leggings are often made of stretchy material.

Usage

• Leggings are commonly worn as casual wear, athletic wear, or as a base layer under other clothing.
• They are distinct from trousers or pants due to their tight fit and stretchy fabric.
• The singular form "legging" is rarely used; the word is almost always used in its plural form "leggings" to refer to the pair of garments.

Examples

• Noun:
  • She wore black leggings and a long sweater to the yoga class.
  • In cold weather, I put on thermal leggings under my jeans.
  • These athletic leggings are designed for running and high-impact exercise.

Advanced Usage

• "Legging it" (Informal Phrasal Verb): This is a separate, idiomatic phrasal verb meaning to run away or depart quickly on foot. It is not directly related to the garment.
  • When the alarm sounded, we had to legging it out of there.

Variants and Related Words

• Leggings (n, pl): The standard and most common form.
• Leg warmer (n): A separate garment that covers the leg from the ankle to the knee or thigh, often worn by dancers.
• Tights (n, pl): A similar, often sheer, garment that covers the legs and feet.

Synonyms

• Tights (though tights often include the feet and can be sheer)
• Stockings (typically refers to a garment covering the foot and leg, often held up by a garter)

Phrasal Verbs

• Leg it (v): To run away or travel quickly on foot. (Note: This is a phrasal verb based on "leg," not directly on "legging" as a noun).
  • We missed the bus, so we had to leg it to the station.

Related Idioms

• There are no common idioms specifically using the noun "legging" or "leggings."

Noun

1. a garment covering the leg (usually extending from the knee to the ankle)