panties
n.-
1 women's underwear (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate American Englisha piece of underwear worn by women and girls that covers the area between the waist and the top of the legs.
a plural-only noun denoting a close-fitting undergarment for the lower torso, specifically designed for women or girls.
ExampleShe packed three pairs of panties and some socks in her small travel bag.
ExampleThe boutique specialises in high-end lingerie, offering silk panties with intricate lace detailing that matches their signature bralettes.
UsageThis noun is plural-only and takes a plural verb; it is frequently used with the classifier 'a pair of'.
Teacher's tipIn British English, 'knickers' is the more common everyday term, while 'panties' can sometimes sound overly clinical or slightly sexualised depending on the context.
- knickers
- underpants
- briefs
PitfallShe bought a new panty.She bought a new pair of panties.Like 'trousers' or 'glasses', this word is plural-only. Use 'a pair of' to count them.