Meaning & use
smart trousers
Last updated
Meaning
nounpluralBritish
Trousers that look neat and formal, suitable for work or special occasions.
Grammar: Always plural; use a plural verb, e.g. 'The smart trousers are new.'
Patterns
- a pair of smart trousers
- wear smart trousers
- smart trousers for work
He wore smart trousers and a jacket to the interview.
She bought a pair of smart trousers for the wedding.
For the office, smart trousers are better than jeans.
Common combinations
- a pair of smart trousers
- I need to buy a pair of smart trousers for the meeting.
- wear smart trousers
- You should wear smart trousers to the restaurant.
- smart trousers and a jacket
- He arrived in smart trousers and a jacket.
- smart trousers for work
- These smart trousers for work are very comfortable.
Synonyms and how they differ
- dress pants
- This is the American English equivalent; 'smart trousers' is British.
- formal trousers
- This is a more direct description of trousers for formal occasions; 'smart trousers' is a common British phrase.
- slacks
- This is an older word for casual or formal trousers; 'smart trousers' specifically suggests a neat, formal appearance.
Opposites
Commonly confused: smart trousers or smart?
smart trousers vs smart
As an adjective, 'smart' can mean intelligent or stylish. In 'smart trousers', it means neat and formal in appearance.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'smart trousers' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Smart trousers' is a plural noun, so you say 'smart trousers' without 'a' and with a plural verb. 'A smart trousers' is wrong because 'trousers' is plural.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “smart trousers”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.