What does underwear mean?
Underwear is the collective term for garments worn next to the skin beneath a person's outer clothing. In everyday use it usually includes items such as briefs, boxer shorts, camisoles, bras, and panties, although the boundaries of the category vary by garment and by what is being worn. The word behaves as a mass or plural noun: people say “some underwear,” not “an underwear,” and “underwears” is not standard. British and American English both use the term, but more specific labels such as underpants, undershirt, and vest may be preferred according to the garment and region. Underwear is more general and practical than lingerie, which usually suggests garments considered elegant, fashionable, or romantic. The word also appears figuratively in expressions concerning privacy, vulnerability, and social expectations. Despite its intimate subject, underwear is a neutral part of everyday vocabulary, used in shopping, health, sports, and literary contexts.
nounClothing worn beneath other garments, especially close to the body. The term collectively includes items such as briefs, boxer shorts, camisoles, bras, and similar garments.
- Clothing worn next to the body beneath outer garments, collectively or as individual items such as briefs, boxer shorts, camisoles, and bras.
"She folded her clean underwear and placed it in the top drawer."
"He packed several changes of underwear for the overnight trip."
"The novel describes the character's vulnerability partly through repeated references to underwear."
The standard plural form is the same as the singular form. It is used in constructions such as “some underwear” and “several changes of underwear.”
"She bought several sets of underwear before the trip."
In its early-17th-century origins, underwear was simply literal: clothing worn under other clothing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does underwear come from?
Underwear is an English compound formed from “under” and “wear,” referring literally to clothing worn beneath other garments. The word is attested from the early 17th century. Related English formations include underclothes, undergarment, and undershirt, all combining “under-” with terms associated with clothing or garments worn beneath other layers.
How underwear is actually used
Underwear normally functions as a mass or plural noun: “some underwear” is standard, while “an underwear” and “underwears” are not. More specific terms such as underpants, undershirt, vest, and panties vary in meaning between regions and between British and American English.
Easily confused with underwear
Underpants can mean briefs in British English and boxer-style shorts in American English, whereas underwear is the broader category covering garments worn beneath outer clothing.