underwear
15 synonyms and 0 antonyms for underwear, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Clothing worn directly against the skin, beneath outer clothes.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use underwear
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From under- plus -wear.
Full origin of underwear →Frequently asked questions
What does “underwear” mean?
The word “underwear” means clothing worn directly against the skin, beneath outer clothes. In plain terms, clothes worn under your regular clothes, closest to the skin.
How do you pronounce “underwear”?
“Underwear” is pronounced UHN-duh-weh-uh (/ˈʌndɚˌwɛɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “underwear” in a sentence?
Here is “underwear” used in a sentence: “She packed extra underwear for the week-long trip.”
What is another word for “underwear”?
Words with a similar meaning to “underwear” include shreddies, underclothes, undergarment, undies, lingerie and skivvies.
What part of speech is “underwear”?
“Underwear” is a noun.
Is “underwear” a common word?
“Underwear” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between 'underwear' and 'lingerie'?
'Underwear' is the general term for any clothing worn next to the skin beneath outer clothes. 'Lingerie' refers specifically to women's underwear that is fine, decorative, or designed to look attractive. All lingerie is underwear, but everyday underwear is not usually called lingerie.
Is 'underwear' singular or plural?
'Underwear' is an uncountable (mass) noun, so it takes a singular verb, as in 'the underwear is clean,' and it has no plural form 'underwears.' To count items you say 'a pair of underwear' or name specific garments. It behaves like other clothing words such as 'clothing.'
What is the difference between 'underwear' and 'undergarment'?
'Underwear' is a collective, everyday term for what you wear under your outer clothes. An 'undergarment' is a single such item and sounds more formal or technical. You might own several undergarments, all of which together are your underwear.
Is 'underwear' the same in British and American English?
'Underwear' is understood as the general term in both British and American English. Informal alternatives differ by region: British speakers may say 'pants' or 'undies,' whereas 'pants' means trousers in American English. To avoid confusion, 'underwear' is the safest word in either variety.