shapewear

noun

shape·​wear ˈshāp-ˌwer How to pronounce shapewear (audio)
: tight-fitting undergarments designed to shape and smooth the body
shapewear may be just the thing to wear under a clingy evening dress.Sylvia Rubin
Shapewear … isn't about shrinking your waist to the size of your wrist, or getting your booty back to its prepubescent years; it's about making your clothes look and fit better.Cloe Cabrera
In growing numbers, men are easing into a variety of shapewear, including elasticized tank tops …Jean Patteson

Word History

Etymology

shape entry 1 + -wear (as in sportswear, underwear)

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shapewear was in 1962

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shapewear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shapewear. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Entry added
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