a pair of boxers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pair of boxers" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a type of men's underwear. For example, "He was surprised when his wife got him a pair of boxers for his birthday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Men go shopping when they need a pair of boxers.

The New York Times

One asked to try on a pair of boxers.

The New York Times

I packed only one pair of pants, shoes, a pair of boxers and three shirts.

The New York Times

He slipped on a pair of boxers, clambered beneath the covers, and started to weep.

The New Yorker

Mr. Plummer and Mr. Dennehy seemed as promising a pair of boxers as any of the above.

The New York Times

In it, Smith, 15, perches on 16-year-old Kylie Jenner's lap wearing nothing but a baseball cap and a pair of boxers.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Next to his body was another corpse, faced down and wearing a pair of boxer shorts.

The New York Times

And anyone who reveals a pair of boxer shorts with the "lipstick kiss" design should be executed under the mistletoe.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The next night she came to bed in one of his T-shirts and a pair of boxer shorts.

The New Yorker

But a pair of boxer shorts ($24) won out, on the grounds that even in an Afghan winter, a man should not do without good underwear.

The New York Times

A Dublin tailor, Louis Copeland, left, is displaying a pair of boxer shorts that belonged to John F. Kennedy in the window of his Capel Street shop.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific material or pattern, place an adjective before "boxers": "a pair of cotton boxers", "a pair of striped boxers".

Common error

Avoid saying "a boxers" instead of "a pair of boxers". Boxers are typically sold and worn as a pair, making the plural form necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pair of boxers" functions as a noun phrase, specifically as a countable noun. It typically acts as the object of a verb or the subject of a sentence, denoting a specific type of men's underwear. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

The Guardian - Lifestyle

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pair of boxers" is a common noun phrase used to refer to a specific type of men's underwear. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing, remember that "boxers" is typically used in the plural form because they are worn as a pair. Consider using descriptive adjectives to provide more detail, such as "a pair of cotton boxers". While alternatives like "some boxer shorts" exist, "a pair of boxers" remains a clear and frequently used expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some boxer shorts

Uses a more general term and indefinite article.

boxer shorts

Omits the article "a pair of".

a set of boxers

Replaces "pair" with "set".

some underwear

Refers to the item more generically.

new boxers

Specifies that the boxers are new.

clean boxers

Describes a specific quality of the boxers.

designer boxers

Highlights a brand or style of boxers.

underpants

Uses a different term for underwear.

clothing for the lower body

Broadly refers to the category of clothing.

personal undergarments

Emphasizes the personal nature of the item.

FAQs

How can I use "a pair of boxers" in a sentence?

You can use "a pair of boxers" in sentences like: "He packed "a pair of boxers" for his trip", or "She bought him "a pair of boxers" as a gift".

What's another way to say "a pair of boxers"?

Alternatives include "some boxer shorts" or simply "boxer shorts". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a boxer" when referring to this type of underwear?

No, it is generally incorrect. Boxers are sold and worn as a pair, so the plural form is almost always used. Using the singular form would be unusual unless referring to one individual item that is part of "a pair of boxers".

Can I use "a pair of boxer briefs" instead of "a pair of boxers"?

While similar, "a pair of boxer briefs" refers to a different style of underwear. Boxer briefs are a hybrid of boxers and briefs, offering more support.