underwear

[uhn-der-wair] /ˈʌn dərˌwɛər/

noun

clothing worn next to the skin under outer clothes.

Also called underclothes, underclothing.

Origin

1870-75; under- + wear

Examples from the web for underwear

At first breeches indicated a cloth worn as underwear by both men and women.
These revivals focus on the corset as an item of outerwear rather than underwear.

British Dictionary definitions for underwear

/ˈʌndəˌwɛə/

noun

clothing worn under the outer garments, usually next to the skin Also called underclothes

Word Origin and History for underwear

1872, from under + wear (n.). So called because it is worn under one's clothing.