Finesentence

Underwear Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🩲
Save

underwear

un-der-wear

🇺🇸 /ˈəndɝˌwɛɹ/ · 🇬🇧 /ˌʌndəwˈeə/

Definitions

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?

arrow down
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

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Quick facts about “underwear”

Underwear is a 3-syllable noun (un-der-wear). It is pronounced /ˈəndɝˌwɛɹ/ in American English and /ˌʌndəwˈeə/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 2 meanings, 7 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages.

Origin of 'underwear'

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.

See also: under, underage, underbelly, underbody, underfed, underhanded, underling, underneath, underpants, underside, understand.