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 short dress featured a sheer, tulle train on the back, a high neckline, with a backless and sleeveless design, as well as a lace underwear detail in red on the bodice. —Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 9 Dec. 2025

The São Paulo State Military Police found Jankavski with an injury on her left eye and marks on her back, dressed in only underwear, per CNN Brasil. —Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025

This eight-piece set from Bagail features every size packing cube and bag the traveler in your life might need, including one for underwear, another for shoes, one for cosmetics, and a few others. —Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2025

Stewart is no stranger to the underwear-as-outerwear trend. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 5 Dec. 2025

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