underwear

noun

un·​der·​wear ˈən-dər-ˌwer 

: clothing or an article of clothing worn next to the skin and under other clothing

Synonyms

• underclothes
• underclothing
• undergarments
• undies
• unmentionables

Examples of underwear in a Sentence

he had been sleeping in his underwear so he had to put a robe on before answering the door

Recent Examples on the Web

Released last Monday, the campaign shot by photographer Mario Sorrenti featured the Puerto Rican singer wearing Calvin Klein’s new Icon cotton stretch underwear. —Renan Botelho, WWD, 24 Mar. 2025

Olson is bald, 5-foot-6 in height, weighs 150 pounds, and was last seen wearing a blue T-shirt and underwear, according to Sacramento police. —Lia Russell, Sacramento Bee, 23 Mar. 2025

While Jackson's films don't exactly present too many situations in which the characters would be undressing to their skivvies, Blanchett, having embodied Galadriel across all three films, can provide first-hand testimony that underwear was worn. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2025

Her look featured a matching strapless bra and high-waisted underwear underneath. —Janelle Ash, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing underwear

• change of underwear
• in one's underwear
• long/thermal underwear
• long underwear

Rhymes for underwear

• aftercare
• anywhere
• billionaire
• chinaware
• debonair
• dinnerware
• disrepair
• doctrinaire
• earthenware
• everywhere
• frigidaire
• kitchenware

Kids Definition

underwear

noun

un·​der·​wear ˈən-dər-ˌwa(ə)r 

-ˌwe(ə)r

: clothing or an article of clothing worn next to the skin and under other clothing