# baggy

/ˈbæɡi/ (US) · /bˈæɡi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/baggy
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. loose-fitting clothing

adjective · CEFR B1

describes clothes that are very large and loose, so they do not fit tightly against your body.

For teachers: denoting clothing that is loose-fitting and hangs away from the body, often by design or due to being oversized.

- He likes wearing baggy jeans and a large t-shirt when he relaxes at home.
- The fashion trend shifted from slim-fit trousers to baggy silhouettes that prioritised comfort and a relaxed aesthetic.

### 2. wordy or loose writing

adjective · CEFR C2 · Literary

describes a story or piece of writing that is too long and has unnecessary parts.

For teachers: figuratively describing a narrative or piece of writing that lacks concision or structural tightness.

- The editor said the middle of the book was a bit baggy and needed cutting.
- Critics argued that the novel's second act was structurally baggy, containing several subplots that failed to advance the primary theme.

### 3. a small plastic bag

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a small plastic bag, often used for sandwiches or small items.

For teachers: a small, typically transparent plastic bag used for storage.

- She put the leftover grapes into a small baggy for her lunch.
- The technician placed the evidence into a sealed baggy to prevent any potential contamination before transport to the laboratory.

### 4. music subculture

adjective · CEFR C1 · British English

related to a style of British dance and rock music from the late 1980s.

For teachers: relating to a British music genre and subculture of the late 1980s and early 1990s, characterised by a mix of psychedelic rock and dance beats.

- The band was famous during the baggy era of the early nineties.
- The documentary explores how the baggy scene bridged the gap between traditional indie rock and the emerging rave culture in Manchester.

## Examples

- He likes to wear baggy jeans when he relaxes at home.
- She decided to wear a baggy sweater because the weather was cold and she wanted to feel comfortable.
- The fashion trend shifted from the sharp, tailored silhouettes of the previous decade toward oversized, baggy aesthetics that prioritised comfort and a relaxed urban look.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.