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

Smith also allegedly mailed Piper’s underwear to men. —Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025

His clothes are fairly simple—black jeans, black t-shirts, underwear, socks, a swimsuit, and a baseball cap. —Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2025

Wear breathable clothing: Wear loose-fitting clothes and cotton underwear to avoid trapping excess moisture. —Devineé Lingo, M.s., Health, 7 Apr. 2025

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

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