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

And a diverse one, selling everything from big-boy underwear and womenswear incorporating YKK’s tapeless zippers to handbags made of leather, or ceramic tiles. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026

Leaning into the lingerie aesthetic, Lisa’s dress showed off her red underwear with a gauzy bodycon skirt, which featured a ruched design at her hips and garter-like strings. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 27 Sep. 2026

Saturn Risin9’s dress by Fendi; boots by Ann Demeulemeester; bra by Araks; underwear by Dolce & Gabbana; socks by Falke. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 25 Sep. 2026

For the London premiere of the Colleen Hoover thriller, Johnson chose a cream lace down by Colleen Allen, under which her black bra and underwear could clearly, intentionally be seen. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 25 Sep. 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