What does pantie mean?
Pantie is a chiefly North American noun for women's or girls' underpants, particularly one of a pair. Although the singular exists grammatically, the plural panties is much more common in everyday use, and pantie appears especially often in commercial expressions such as pantie briefs. The word belongs to the same clothing tradition as British panty and British plural knickers, but regional preference accounts for much of the difference among these terms. Pantie can refer to a simple cotton undergarment or to a similar garment made as part of lingerie, with its precise style determined by context. The form is also associated with labels, packaging, and advertising, where it may appear in the singular even when the product is one of a pair. In general conversation, panties is normally the more natural choice.
nounA woman's or girl's underpants, especially one of a pair. The singular form is less common than the plural, especially in informal and commercial usage.
- A woman's or girl's underpants, especially one of a pair.
"She slipped on a pair of white cotton panties before getting dressed."
"The store sells cotton pantie briefs in several styles."
"She had only her coat and a pair of pantie briefs to wear."
The plural panties is more common than the singular pantie in ordinary usage.
"These comfortable cotton panties are suitable for everyday wear."
Often singular in form but plural in use, pantie survives chiefly in labels and phrases such as “pantie briefs.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pantie come from?
Pantie comes from French pantie, a diminutive associated with pants. The English word pants entered use in the 19th century from French pantaloons, which was derived from Italian pantalone and ultimately from the Greek pantes, meaning “all.” The same Italian name also underlies Pantalone, a stock character in Italian comedy, and the shortened English panto.
How pantie is actually used
Pantie is chiefly North American and is less common than the plural panties. It is especially frequent in commercial and attributive constructions, such as pantie briefs.
Easily confused with pantie
Panty is the usual British spelling, whereas pantie is more common in North American English.