What does underskirt mean?
An underskirt is a garment worn beneath another skirt. In contemporary use, the word most often describes a woman's undergarment or decorative layer worn below a skirt or dress, where it may provide warmth, support, or a smooth lining. It is closely related to a petticoat, although that term more often denotes an underskirt worn below a visible skirt and is especially common in descriptions of period clothing. An underskirt may also refer to a skirt-like garment intended to be layered with another skirt, allowing two garments to be worn together. Although the compound plainly combines “under” and “skirt,” its meaning is not limited to a literal lower skirt. Modern uses appear in shopping descriptions, fashion writing, costume history, and accounts of everyday dress. In older literature, the association with petticoats and layered dress is particularly important. In current general English, however, “underskirt” remains less common than broader terms such as “undergarment” or “slip,” and its use often signals a particular garment, material, or layered style.
nounA garment worn beneath another skirt, especially as a woman's undergarment or as a decorative, supportive, or warming layer.
- A garment worn beneath another skirt, particularly as an undergarment or decorative, supportive, or warming layer.
"She chose a silk underskirt to wear beneath the woollen skirt."
"A cotton underskirt kept the thin summer skirt from clinging to her legs."
"The museum displayed several Victorian underskirts made from linen and lace."
The plural is used when referring to multiple garments of this kind.
"The shop sells plain underskirts in several colors."
An underskirt is literally a skirt under a skirt—an unusually straightforward name for a layered garment.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does underskirt come from?
Underskirt is an English compound formed from under and skirt, expressing the idea of a skirt-like garment positioned beneath another garment. The prefix under- is native English, while skirt is an inherited Germanic word; related English constructions include undershirt and undergarment. In historical clothing vocabulary, underskirt also overlaps with petticoat, a term long used for garments worn beneath visible skirts.
How underskirt is actually used
The term is neutral in register but relatively uncommon in everyday modern English. It is especially natural in clothing descriptions, fashion writing, costume history, and descriptions of layered or period dress.
Easily confused with underskirt
A petticoat is a related garment worn beneath a visible skirt, especially in traditional or historical dress, whereas an underskirt is the broader modern term.
A slip is a lightweight undergarment that may extend below the hem of a dress, while an underskirt is specifically associated with being worn beneath another skirt.