underwear

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.

“Underwear” is pronounced UHN-duh-weh-uh (/ˈʌndɚˌwɛɹ/ in IPA).

Here is “underwear” used in a sentence: “She packed extra underwear for the week-long trip.”

Words with a similar meaning to “underwear” include shreddies, underclothes, undergarment, undies, lingerie and skivvies.

“Underwear” is a noun.

“Underwear” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

'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.

'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.'

'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.

'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.