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Underwear: meaning, definitions and examples

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underwear

[ ˈʌndəˌwɛr ]

Noun

Oxford 3000

^{Context #1 | Noun}

clothing

Underwear is clothing that you wear next to your skin under your other clothes. It is usually worn for hygiene, to protect outer clothing from sweat, and for warmth.

Synonyms

intimates, lingerie, undergarments.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
underwear	General term suitable for everyday use; can refer to both men's and women's underclothes. I need to buy some new underwear He folded his underwear neatly and put it in the drawer
undergarments	A formal term that can refer to any type of underclothes for both genders. Often used in medical, historical, or formal contexts. Make sure you wear appropriate undergarments for the fitting Historical undergarments can tell us a lot about fashion trends of the past
intimates	Often used in a retail or fashion context when talking about a broader range of products including bras, panties, and sleepwear; usually refers to women's underclothing. The store has a wide range of intimates She works as a buyer for the intimates department
lingerie	Refers specifically to women's underclothes that are luxurious or sexy; often used in a sensual or romantic context. She bought some new lingerie for their anniversary The boutique specializes in high-end lingerie

Examples of usage

I need to buy some new underwear.
She was wearing a pink bra and matching underwear.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

colloquial

Underwear can also refer to a person's intimate garments, specifically their underpants or panties.

Synonyms

boxers, briefs, panties, underpants.

Examples of usage

He was caught with his underwear down.
She felt uncomfortable without her underwear.

Translations

Translations of the word "underwear" in other languages:

🇵🇹 roupa íntima

🇮🇳 अंतर्वस्त्र (Antarvastra)

🇩🇪 Unterwäsche

🇮🇩 pakaian dalam

🇺🇦 нижня білизна

🇵🇱 bielizna

🇯🇵 下着 (したぎ, shitagi)

🇫🇷 sous-vêtements

🇪🇸 ropa interior

🇹🇷 iç çamaşırı

🇰🇷 속옷 (sogot)

🇸🇦 ملابس داخلية (malabis dakhiliyya)

🇨🇿 spodní prádlo

🇸🇰 spodná bielizeň

🇨🇳 内衣 (nèiyī)

🇸🇮 spodnje perilo

🇮🇸 nærföt

🇰🇿 іш киімі

🇬🇪 ქვეშა ტანსაცმელი (qvesha tansacmeli)

🇦🇿 alt paltarı

🇲🇽 ropa interior

Etymology

The term 'underwear' dates back to the early 19th century and is a combination of 'under' and 'wear', indicating clothing worn under other garments. Throughout history, underwear has evolved from basic undergarments to a fashion statement, with various styles and materials used for different purposes.