baggy

baggy — adjective

1. describes clothes that hang in loose folds on the body, either because they are

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

describes clothes that hang in loose folds on the body, either because they are several sizes too large or because the fabric has lost its original shape over time.

Example

Tomás pulled on his baggy jeans and went out to skate with friends.

common collocation: baggy + jeans / trousers / shorts

Tariq wore a baggy grey sweater that almost reached his knees.

attributive position before a noun (baggy + clothing item)

Common collocations
  • baggy jeans
  • baggy trousers
  • baggy sweater
  • baggy T-shirt
  • baggy shorts
  • look baggy
  • go baggy
Synonyms
  • loose

    neutral; describes any garment that is not tight, without implying it looks unshapely

  • saggy

    stronger negative tone; suggests the item droops downward in an unflattering way

  • oversized

    describes clothes deliberately cut several sizes larger, often as a fashion choice

  • slack

    more formal; often used of ropes or fabric that lacks tension

Antonyms
  • tight

    fitting closely against the body

  • snug

    comfortably close-fitting, with a positive feel

  • fitted

    tailored to follow the shape of the body

Usage Note

Almost always used to describe clothing or fabric. When applied to body parts (e.g. baggy eyes, baggy skin), it suggests loose, sagging skin rather than a fashion choice.

Common Mistakes

My new jeans are very baggy on the waist, so I love them.
My new jeans are nicely loose at the waist, so I love them.
'baggy' usually carries a slightly negative or casual tone; for a flattering loose fit, use 'loose' or 'relaxed'.
The room felt baggy after we removed the furniture.
The room felt empty after we removed the furniture.
'baggy' is reserved for clothes and skin, not spaces.

Word family

  • bag
    nounA1
  • bag
    verbB2
  • bagful
    nounC1
  • bagginess
    nounC2
  • baggily
    adverbC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe clothes that are not tight against the body, but the connotations differ. 'Loose' is the most neutral option and works in almost any context, from a loose blouse at work to a loose pair of trainers. 'Baggy' suggests the garment hangs in noticeable folds because it is too big or has stretched, and it often carries a casual, slightly untidy feel — think of baggy jeans on a teenager. 'Oversized' is a deliberate fashion choice: an oversized jacket is meant to look big. 'Saggy' is the most negative; it implies the fabric droops in a tired, unflattering way, as in saggy old sweatpants. So 'I want baggy jeans' suggests a casual streetwear look, while 'I want loose jeans' simply asks for room to move.

baggy ↗loose ↗oversizedsaggy

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • very baggy
  • rather baggy
  • slightly baggy
  • all baggy

Phrases

  • go baggy at the knees
  • look baggy on someone
  • stretch out and go baggy

Prepositions

  • baggy at (the knees / elbows)
  • baggy around (the waist / hips)
  • baggy on (someone)

Etymology

Old NorseMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed in early nineteenth-century English from the noun 'bag' plus the adjective ending '-y', so the literal sense is 'shaped or hanging like a bag'. Earlier English already used 'bag' as a verb meaning to swell or bulge outward, and 'baggy' picked up that image to describe trousers, sleeves, and skin that puff out or droop in loose folds.