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Definition of knickerbockers

knickerbockers

/ˈnɪk.ɚˌbɑː.kɚz/
knick · er · bock · ers
Plural:knickerbockers
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knickerbockers Lexical Profile

knickerbockers Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Loose-fitting breeches or trousers gathered and banded just below the knee, historically worn by men and boys for sports and outdoor activities.

Example

"Vintage photographs from the 1920s show the golfers wearing tweed jackets and wool knickerbockers on the course."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for knickerbockers

Word Nuance & Usage

While "knickerbockers" (often shortened to "knickers" in American English) refers to loose-fitting knee breeches, the shortened form "knickers" in British and Commonwealth English refers specifically to women's underwear.

• Nearby Words

kneesock
knesset
knickerbocker
knickerbockers
knickers
knicks
knife

Word Origin & Etymology

Named after Diedrich Knickerbocker, the fictional Dutch-American author invented by Washington Irving for his 1809 satirical book "A History of New York", whose illustrations depicted Dutch settlers wearing loose knee-length breeches.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Knickerbockers. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 3, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/knickerbockers
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