lingerie

noun

lin·​ge·​rie ˌlän-jə-ˈrā  ˌläⁿ-zhə- 

-ˈrē;

ˈlaⁿ-zhə-(ˌ)rē, 

ˈlän-jə-, 

ˈläⁿ-zhə-, 

-ˌrā

1

: women's intimate apparel

2

archaic : linen articles or garments

lingerie adjective

Examples of lingerie in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Any bras, underwear, or lingerie that has elastic, spandex, lace, or lycra can be ruined by the heat and should be hung to dry. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026

Hailey Bieber posed in sheer lingerie that was more string than fabric for Victoria's Secret's latest Valentine's Day campaign. —Lara Walsh, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026

In one shot from the campaign, Hailey also sits in a large chest of drawers, painting her toenails while clad in her Victoria's Secret lingerie. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026

In 2016, Rafar Group/Gelmart International cofounded and incubated Lively, a direct-to-consumer lingerie brand that was acquired by Wacoal International in 2019. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 23 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, from linge linen, from Latin lineus made of linen — more at line

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for lingerie

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

lingerie

noun

lin·​ge·​rie ˌlän-jə-ˈrā  ˌlan-zhə- 

-ˈrē

: women's nightclothes or underwear

Etymology

French, derived from early French linge "linen"