underwear

noun

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

Synonyms of underwear

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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
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.
The Portuguese athlete, who revealed that the 2026 World Cup will be his last, stripped down to his underwear while taking a dip in an underground pool. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 30 July 2026 Victim 2, who is a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue employee according to the New York Times, was repeatedly struck with canes and paddles and bled through his underwear and pants because of lacerations to his buttocks, according to the warrant. — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026 Nguyen is based in Los Angeles and reports to Kardashian and Grede, who started the brand in 2019 by reimagining women’s underwear, loungewear and shapewear. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 27 July 2026 Did anyone dare suggest that you guys should be in your underwear too? — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for underwear

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of underwear was in 1832

Phrases Containing underwear

Rhymes for underwear

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Browse Nearby Words

underway
underwear
under weigh
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Cite this Entry

“Underwear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underwear. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of underwear for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about underwear

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