underwear

noun

ˈən-dər-ˌwer How to pronounce underwear (audio)
Definition of underwearnext
as in panties
clothing intended to be worn underneath other clothing he had been sleeping in his underwear so he had to put a robe on before answering the door

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of underwear Even Jeremy Allen White, the actor known in part for a steamy Calvin Klein underwear campaign that flaunted his very real muscles, has been augmented by this pocket of the internet. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026 The next day, David drove back to Altadena while Lauren took the girls to Target to buy toothbrushes and underwear. — Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026 Underwear & Bras Both of our experts agree that underwear and bras wash best in cooler temperatures to preserve their function so you’re not left needing to purchase more supportive pieces. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026 The findings and an underwear map, recently published in the journal Plants, People, Planet, showcase a range of soil health and a path towards better land management. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for underwear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underwear
  1. underclothing
  2. lingerie
Noun
  • This is the first summer the faith, widely known as the Mormon church, has offered the underclothing without sleeves in its nearly 200-year history.
    — Ciara Hulet, NPR, 18 Aug. 2025
  • La Corte also had to construct temple garments, the white underclothing worn by adult Latter-day Saints after they are endowed in the temple.
    — Meredith BlakeStaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2022
Definition of underclothing
Noun
  • The new cast features Americans, and some Canadians, from all walks of life, including a sociology professor, a farmer and a lingerie business owner.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Across the lane, an abundant woman in a cliché of lingerie eyes me seductively from a window, framed in red.
    — Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of lingerie

Browse Nearby Words

under way
underwear
under weigh
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Underwear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underwear. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on underwear

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about underwear

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All