What does lingerie mean?
Lingerie denotes underwear and other lightweight garments worn beneath outer clothing, including brassieres, briefs, camisoles, and similar items. The word is especially associated with women's intimate apparel, although it can describe clothing worn under a costume, uniform, or other outfit. In retail and fashion contexts, lingerie often emphasizes design, materials, and sensuality, while in historical descriptions it may refer more generally to personal garments worn close to the body. The term also has a broader historical meaning for linen goods and household textiles. Today, it is a useful category word for distinguishing intimate garments from outerwear, although more specific terms such as “underwear,” “brassiere,” or “sleepwear” may be preferable when a particular type of clothing is intended.
nounUnderwear and other lightweight garments worn beneath outer clothing, especially brassieres, briefs, camisoles, and related items. The term can also refer to the wider category of clothing designed for such wear.
- Underwear and other lightweight garments worn beneath outer clothing, especially brassieres, briefs, camisoles, and similar items.
"She bought a delicate silk lingerie set for the occasion."
"The shop specializes in comfortable, breathable lingerie made from natural fibres."
"The scene was set in the 1930s, when the character is shown adjusting her lingerie before leaving the house."
Rare; “lingerie” is normally used as a mass noun, while the plural more often denotes separate collections or selections of garments.
"The department store stocks several designer lingeries."
The word once referred broadly to linen goods and textiles before settling into its familiar modern meaning of clothing worn beneath other garments.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lingerie come from?
The word comes from French lingerie, originally a general term for linen goods or textiles, derived from French linge, “linen.” It entered English in the nineteenth century and gradually narrowed in meaning to clothing worn beneath other garments. Its deeper root is Latin linum, meaning “flax” or “linen,” which also underlies related English words such as linen, lint, linear, and lineage.
How lingerie is actually used
The word is used for clothing worn beneath outer garments and is especially associated with women's underwear, though it can apply more broadly. It is generally formal or neutral; in commercial contexts, “lingerie” often carries a fashion or retail emphasis.