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

There is even a photo of Mandelson in his underwear. —Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026

Clothing, hairstyles, music and even underwear have often been seen as leading economic indicators. —Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2026

The men’s and women’s T-shirts, jackets, jeans, sweaters, cardigans, underwear, slacks and parkas aim for functional rather than trendy. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026

Skims sells women’s and men’s loungewear, underwear and shapewear and already has flagship stores in Mexico City, Dubai, and on New York City’s Fifth Avenue and Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. —Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 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