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Glite Dictionary
👙 A support wire 🧵 To add support wire
underwire

underwire

5 4.6
A thin curved piece of metal or plastic sewn into the bottom of a bra to give support and shape
  • noun
  • /ˈʌndərˌwaɪər/
translation icon : varilla
  • "It has underwire and push-up padding for lift and cleavage."
  • underwire bra
  • underwire bras
  • underwire top

Examples

  • I'm wearing an underwire bra.

    Felon (2008)

  • I have never found a comfortable bra with underwire.

    Blog text (15)

  • I am a full-figured woman, and need to wear underwire bras.

    Blog text (27)

  • They all have underwire, but the only downside is that you cannot get this bra in store.

  • Several bras have underwire that really supports the breasts and ensures they do not droop.

    Blog text (26)

  • I prefer wearing a comfortable underwire bra for added support.

  • The underwire in my bra helps give a nice shape to my figure.

  • Many women find that an underwire provides the support they need throughout the day.

How Supportive

binder
9 2.8
underwire
5 4.6
bra
274 1.0
bandeau
1 9.0

Surface Forms

underwire singular
underwires plural

Morphology

underwire = wire (transparent) = under + wire

The noun is a straightforward compound 'under' + 'wire' meaning a wire placed under (the breasts) to provide support. [Postprocessing: moved 'under' from base_words to prefix]

Etymology

The word underwire comes from the parts under and wire, where under means 'below' and wire means 'thin metal'. It names the curved metal that sits under a bra cup to give 'support' and 'shape'.