underwear

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'underwear' is a correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are writing/talking about a type of clothing item that is worn underneath other garments. Example sentence: I need to buy some new underwear because my current pair is starting to look worn.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One teacher told the Observer: "Girls hitching up their skirts is not new, but it is getting worse, and the skirts are getting so high that male teachers are constantly saying they are embarrassed by the sight of female underwear in the corridors and especially on the stairs".

The Guardian

He said he did not think it inappropriate that he was allowed to carry out the interrogation, nor that the questioning took place with Kakidzyanov stripped to his underwear.

The Guardian

It started politely but became more and more threatening as her clothes were reduced to rags and she kneeled in her underwear.

The Guardian - Arts

Plus, there are more unnecessary lingering shots of Bullock in her underwear than you'd find of models in a Pirelli calendar.

The Guardian - Film

Whether it's Nicole Kidman starring in a cinematic three-minute ad for Chanel, Justin Bieber and Lara Stone stripped down to their Calvin Klein underwear, or George Clooney looking suave sipping a Nespresso, there's no doubting the power of celebrity to catapult awareness of a brand.

The Guardian

Meanwhile the average westerner gets through 14.2kg of cotton a year, in everything from underwear to pillow covers to medical dressings.

The Guardian

I was moved with nine blindfolded male detainees, who had been tortured and were wearing only their underwear, to Adra prison north-east of Damascus.

The Guardian

The couple of recurring dreams that I have, and I'm sure other people have the same dreams, one of them is about losing my teeth, and another – and this is the classic one lecturers have – is just going to talk and finding out I've got no clothes on, no trousers and no underwear and there's nothing I can do about it".

The Guardian - Opinion

Smartsocks, motion tracking underwear and light reactive jackets that glow the harder you train are in the pipeline.

The Guardian - Tech

Much is made in the film of the women's stripping off, apparently because of the heat in the workroom, and sitting at their machines in their underwear.

The Guardian

This means trying out underwear at your dress fittings – not rushing out to buy it afterwards – and standing near the window during fittings so you are getting natural daylight to spot any lines.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "underwear", be specific if the context requires it (e.g., "boxers", "briefs", "panties", "bras") instead of using the general term.

Common error

Avoid using slang terms for "underwear" (e.g., "skivvies", "smalls") in formal writing. Stick to neutral terms like "undergarments" or "underclothing".

Linguistic Context

The word "underwear" functions primarily as a noun, referring to garments worn beneath outer clothing. Ludwig AI indicates that this term is correct and widely usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Lifestyle

17%

Opinion

12%

Less common in

Travel

6%

Tech

3%

Books

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "underwear" is a common noun referring to garments worn beneath outer clothing. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. While grammatically straightforward, choosing synonyms like "undergarments" or being specific with terms like "boxers" or "briefs" can enhance clarity. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Lifestyle, and Opinion pieces. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider formality when choosing alternative terms. As Ludwig examples show, "underwear" is a versatile term applicable to diverse situations, from fashion discussions to travel packing tips.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underclothing

A direct synonym for "underwear", perhaps slightly less common.

undergarments

A more formal term for "underwear".

innerwear

Another synonym for "underwear", sometimes used in retail contexts.

lingerie

Refers specifically to women's "underwear", often more decorative.

base layer

Refers to "underwear" used for warmth or moisture-wicking, especially in sports.

smalls

A colloquial term for "underwear".

skivvies

Slang term for men's "underwear", particularly undershirts and underpants.

unmentionables

A humorous or old-fashioned term for "underwear".

drawers

An older term for "underwear", particularly underpants.

foundation garments

Refers to "underwear" designed to shape or support the body.

FAQs

How do I use "underwear" in a sentence?

"Underwear" is a noun that refers to garments worn beneath outer clothing. For example: "I need to buy new underwear" or "She was wearing thermal underwear under her ski suit."

What's a more formal term for "underwear"?

A more formal term for "underwear" is "undergarments".

Is it correct to say "a underwear" or "an underwear"?

No, "underwear" is typically treated as an uncountable noun. You would say "a pair of underwear" or simply "underwear".

What's the difference between "underwear" and "lingerie"?

"Underwear" is a general term for clothing worn under outer garments. "Lingerie" typically refers to more decorative or intimate women's "underwear".