underwear

noun

un·​der·​wear ˈən-dər-ˌwer How to pronounce underwear (audio)
: clothing or an article of clothing worn next to the skin and under other clothing

Examples of underwear in a Sentence

he had been sleeping in his underwear so he had to put a robe on before answering the door
Recent Examples on the Web In the black-and-white photos, Maluma rested his hand on his girlfriend's baby belly, with the two wearing matching white Calvin Klein underwear. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 In truth, many elements of a traditional Westwood show were there — the high platform shoe, the reference to 18th and 19th century dress, an irreverent glimpse of a butt cheek, even the codpieces seemed to be a nod to the brand’s history pioneering of underwear as outerwear in the 1980s. Leah Dolan, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 Someone took a picture of them, stripped to their underwear, which was posted on Facebook. Shane Bauer, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024 Seeing the courthouse filled with supporters, getting a cellphone, choosing which underwear to buy — he wasn’t used to any of it. Shane Bishop, NBC News, 23 Feb. 2024 Bleeding with a miscarriage can range from light spotting to heavy bleeding that requires pads and disposable underwear to manage. Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 23 Feb. 2024 For instance, in the promotional campaign for GQ underwear, CCO George Hartel and his team deviated from the norm. Thai Son Nguyen, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 The next few days were bliss: a hike through bamboo forests, meditating by a river, dancing in her underwear on a hillside, chilling in a cafe playing her drum. Christian Shepherd, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2024 Disposable Underwear $14 – The hospital will give you pads, but disposable underwear is so much easier and more convenient. Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'underwear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of underwear was in 1870

Dictionary Entries Near underwear

Cite this Entry

“Underwear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underwear. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

underwear

noun
un·​der·​wear ˈən-dər-ˌwa(ə)r How to pronounce underwear (audio)
-ˌwe(ə)r
: clothing or an article of clothing worn next to the skin and under other clothing

More from Merriam-Webster on underwear

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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