pair of panties

USAGE SUMMARY

"pair of panties" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an item of clothing, such as "She bought a new pair of panties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

(On second look, that's a pair of panties).

The New Yorker

"One pair of panties is one pair too many.

The Guardian

A toiletry bag containing an extra pair of panties.

The New York Times

Britney shrieked when a pair of panties landed near her feet.

The New Yorker

Finally, with nary a pair of panties in sight, I was forced to tell my mother.

The Guardian - Opinion

His pregnant wife, Claire, sits next to her, in a pair of panties.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Or, come to think of it, maybe he was a robber, wearing a pair of panty hose over his face?

The New Yorker

"He worked around the clock one night to design the machinery to knit the first pair of panty hose.

The New York Times

One morning, she glanced at a blonde in a skimpy unitard and commented, "That woman looks like a pair of panty hose packed with spermicide-flavored Jell-O".

The New Yorker

When she wanted an undergarment that was undetectable beneath her clothing, was comfortable, made her appear slimmer, and could be worn with open-toed shoes, she cut the feet off of a pair of panty hose and found that she had created a garment that other women would want.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It felt like a modern day episode of Mad Men, with a room full of male ad execs discussing how to sell a pair of panty hose.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing creatively or descriptively, consider the specific style or type of "pair of panties" to add detail and nuance (e.g., lace, cotton, thong).

Common error

Be specific when referring to underwear; "pair of panties" is generally understood, but consider the context. If you are writing about a particular style or material, use a more descriptive term to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pair of panties" functions primarily as a noun phrase, referring to a specific item of clothing. It's a common and direct way to name an undergarment, as shown in Ludwig's examples, where it appears in varied contexts, from personal anecdotes to news reports.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

15%

Vice

12%

Less common in

The New Yorker

2%

Huffington Post

2%

The New York Times

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pair of panties" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase. It functions descriptively across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and informal settings. While generally neutral to informal in register, its use in formal writing should be considered carefully. According to Ludwig, the phrase is accurate and usable, offering a direct way to reference this specific item of clothing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underpants

Refers to a general term for underwear, differing in formality and potential style.

underwear

A broader category that includes panties, differing in specificity.

knickers

A British English term for panties, varying geographically.

underthings

A more old-fashioned or euphemistic term for underwear, differing in tone.

lingerie

Encompasses more decorative and intimate undergarments, differing in purpose and style.

unmentionables

Humorous or old fashioned way to say underpants, differing in tone.

drawers

An older term for underpants, differing in time period and connotation.

bottoms

More generic reference to lower-body clothing, broader in scope.

garments

Generic for of clothing, broader in scope

underclothed

Can also be an adjective describing if someone has underwear on or not, differing in form.

FAQs

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

You can use "pair of panties" in sentences like: "She packed an extra "pair of panties" in her bag", or "He found a "pair of panties" on the floor".

What's a more formal alternative to "pair of panties"?

While "pair of panties" is commonly used, a more formal alternative might be "underpants" or "undergarment", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "pair of panties" in formal writing?

The appropriateness of using "pair of panties" depends on the context. In formal or professional writing, consider using a more neutral term like "underpants" unless the specific term is necessary.

What are some different types of "pair of panties"?

There are many types of panties, including briefs, thongs, boy shorts, and high-waisted panties, each offering different levels of coverage and style.