legging
legging Lexical Profile
legging Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A tight-fitting, stretchy garment covering the legs, typically worn by women or girls for exercise or casual wear (almost always used in the plural).
"She pulled on a pair of comfortable black leggings before heading to the yoga studio."
A protective outer covering for the lower leg, traditionally made of leather or canvas, worn by soldiers, riders, or outdoor workers to shield the shin.
"The historical reenactor strapped a thick leather legging over his boot to protect his leg from the dense brush."
Word Nuance & Usage
While 'legging' exists in the singular to describe a single protective gaiter or one half of a garment, the word is almost exclusively used in the plural ('leggings') in modern English to refer to tight-fitting, stretchy trousers.
• Rhymes for legging
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the mid-19th century from the word 'leg' combined with the noun-forming suffix '-ing', originally referring to protective outer coverings for the lower legs worn by soldiers or workers.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.