underwear

noun

un·​der·​wear ˈən-dər-ˌwer 

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

Synonyms of underwear

• panties
• pants
• undergarments
• undies
• underclothes
• underclothing
• pajamas
• unmentionables
• lingerie

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

The group is seeking gently used or new clothing, new socks and underwear, toiletries, hygiene products, and school supplies. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026

Less than two hours later, witnesses reported seeing the 12-year-old boy, wearing only his underwear, running near traffic. — Larry Seward, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Charli contrasts going without underwear in the past with now largely wearing trousers. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 31 July 2026

The Portuguese athlete, who revealed that the 2026 World Cup will be his last, stripped down to his underwear while taking a dip in an underground pool. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 30 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1832, 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