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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 notes

In 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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She packed a fresh pair of _____ for the trip.

Etymology

A shortening of "knickerbockers," itself from Diedrich Knickerbocker, a fictional Dutch-American character invented by the writer Washington Irving.

Origin: Dutch

pants drawers breeches bloomers knee pants knee breeches knickerbockers

Related words

Rhymes for knickers

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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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