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underwear

underwear

507 1.0
Clothes that you wear next to your skin under other clothes
  • noun
  • /ˈʌndərˌwɛr/
translation icon : ropa interior
  • It's like I'm in the market for some new underwear, some skivvies.
  • wear underwear
  • men's underwear
  • women's underwear

Me Undies is the softest, most comfortable underwear you'll ever wear.

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Examples

  • A first layer of quality thermal long underwear is a major help in staying warm.

    Academic text (1994)
  • I thought you were only gonna go down to your underwear.

  • And so I changed into white underwear because of this dress.

  • And all while wearing the same underwear as the rest of us.

  • -What kind of underwear do you wear?

  • Yes, in your underwear, rolling around on the ground.

  • I kept my underwear on during the massage.

  • Gonna grab some clean knickers and underwear, a fresh bra.

  • The next day, several pairs of women's underwear were found on the grounds.

    Academic text (2006)
  • She bought a new set of underwear for her trip.

Synonyms

undergarment
vsunderwear
22 2.4

Clothing you wear under other clothes next to the skin

is the broad ordinary word for that single clothing piece
pair of underwear
vsunderwear
7 1.0

A single piece of clothing that you wear under other clothes, usually underpants

is the general term covering that specific lower garment among others
underthing
vsunderwear
  • Informal
3 8.4

A piece of clothing worn under other clothes like socks or an undershirt

is the standard neutral word used in ordinary contexts for the same items
underclothing
vsunderwear
1 1.4

Clothes you wear next to your skin under other clothes

is the general everyday word for that layer of clothing
skivvies
vsunderwear
  • Informal
1 8.8

A set of men's cotton underwear with an undershirt and underpants

is the general word covering many types, not just that matched set
undies
vsunderwear
  • Informal
1 7.7

Light women's underwear like panties or bras

is the neutral, standard word rather than a casual or playful name
underclothes
vsunderwear
1.5

Clothes worn next to the skin under other clothes

is the common, simple term used for those garments
undergarb
vsunderwear
5.9

Clothes worn next to your body, like underwear

is the everyday name people use for that under layer
fundies
vsunderwear
  • Australian
9.9

Underwear like briefs or underpants

is the neutral name not marked by casual or regional tone
smallclothes
vsunderwear
  • Archaic
9.9

Underwear men wore under their clothes in the past

is the modern everyday term rather than an archaic expression

Antonyms

5 1.6

Clothing worn outside over other clothes like coats or jackets

Compounds

A single piece of clothing that you wear under other clothes, usually underpants

5 2.2

Warm clothing that covers the arms and legs and is worn under other clothes

1 9.9

Clothes worn under other clothes that people believe bring luck or protection

How Warm

long johns
6 2.4
underwear
507 1.0
briefs
1.5

Surface Forms

underwear singular
underwears plural

Morphology

underwear = wear (transparent) = under + wear

A straightforward compound of 'under' + 'wear' meaning clothing worn beneath other clothes, easily derivable by learners. [Postprocessing: moved 'under' from base_words to prefix]

Etymology

Underwear is just under + wear: under means 'below' and wear means 'to have on as clothes', so underwear are the clothes you 'wear' under your other clothes.