# underwear

/ˈəndɝˌwɛɹ/ (US) · /ˌʌndəwˈeə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/underwear
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. clothing worn under outer layers

noun · CEFR A2

clothes like underpants or bras that you wear under your main clothes.

For teachers: garments worn next to the skin and beneath outer clothing for hygiene, comfort, or support. Uncountable in all standard contexts.

- She packed enough clean underwear for the entire week-long trip.
- The athlete chose moisture-wicking underwear to prevent chafing during the marathon, as standard cotton garments proved unsuitable for high-intensity endurance sports.

Usage: This is an uncountable noun; use 'some underwear' or 'a pair of underpants' instead of 'an underwear'.

## Examples

- I need to pack enough clean underwear for the trip.
- The athlete chose moisture-wicking underwear to stay comfortable during the long marathon.
- While outer fashion trends change rapidly, the design of basic underwear remains focused primarily on utility, comfort, and the quality of the fabric against the skin.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.