noun
knickers
NIH-kuhz
Knickers (noun) means Chiefly British: women's or girls' underpants. Example: “She packed a fresh pair of knickers for the trip.”
noun
1
Chiefly British: women's or girls' underpants.
"She packed a fresh pair of knickers for the trip."
2
Loose-fitting trousers or breeches gathered in below the knee; knickerbockers.
"The old photograph showed him as a boy in knickers and a flat cap."
How to use knickers
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn British English, underpants; in older or American usage, a style of loose trousers.
UK vs US
In American English "knickers" usually means the old-fashioned baggy trousers, not underwear — for underwear, Americans say "panties."
Common pairings
get your knickers in a twist
a pair of knickers
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Etymology
A shortening of "knickerbockers," itself from Diedrich Knickerbocker, a fictional Dutch-American character invented by the writer Washington Irving.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for knickers
See all rhymes for knickers →Frequently asked questions
What does “knickers” mean?
The word “knickers” means chiefly British: women's or girls' underpants. In plain terms, in British English, underpants; in older or American usage, a style of loose trousers.
How do you pronounce “knickers”?
“Knickers” is pronounced NIH-kuhz (/ˈnɪkɚz/ in IPA).
How do you use “knickers” in a sentence?
Here is “knickers” used in a sentence: “She packed a fresh pair of knickers for the trip.”
What part of speech is “knickers”?
“Knickers” is a noun.
Where does the word “knickers” come from?
The word “knickers” comes from Dutch. A shortening of "knickerbockers," itself from Diedrich Knickerbocker, a fictional Dutch-American character invented by the writer Washington Irving.
How many meanings does “knickers” have?
“Knickers” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: chiefly British: women's or girls' underpants.
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