WordGarden.iounderclothes
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˌʌndəklˈəʊðz/
US
Meanings
Noun
clothes worn under outer garments; underwear
Beyond the definition
Imagine you're building a fortress of fashion! Your outer clothes—coats, pants, dresses—are like the walls and towers. But what holds everything together? That's where underclothes come in. They are the essential layer worn closest to your skin, providing comfort, support, and sometimes modesty.
Historically, "underclothes" covered a wider range of garments than it does today. Think long johns for warmth, corsets for shaping, or bloomers for practicality! Now, we usually mean things like underwear, bras, slips, camisoles, and undershirts. While often hidden from view, underclothes are crucial to how our clothes fit and feel. The right underclothes can make all the difference in a long day—or a special occasion.
"Underclothes" refers to garments worn directly against the skin, underneath outer clothing. It's a broad term that includes everyday basics like underwear, as well as items like bras, slips, camisoles, undershirts, shapewear, and thermal layers.
The word itself is fairly straightforward: "under" meaning beneath, and "clothes" referring to garments. However, the type of underclothes has changed dramatically over time. In centuries past, underclothes were often bulky and restrictive, designed for warmth or to achieve a specific silhouette (think corsets and petticoats). Today, they prioritize comfort, support, and functionality.
The context in which you use "underclothes" matters. You might say someone is "packing their underclothes" when preparing for a trip, referring to the essential items needed for hygiene and comfort. It can also be used more generally to describe clothing that isn't meant to be seen: "She changed into clean underclothes after her workout." Sometimes the term is even used euphemistically to refer to intimate apparel in a polite way.
While terms like "lingerie" often refer to more delicate or decorative undergarments, "underclothes" is a broader term encompassing all garments worn closest to the skin. So next time you get dressed, remember that your underclothes are the foundation of your entire outfit—providing comfort, support, and a little bit of everyday magic!
Examples
- 1
Packing clothes
She packed clean underclothes and socks for the weekend.
- Grammar
underclothes is usually plural and used without a or an
- 2
Changing clothes
After getting caught in the rain, he changed into dry underclothes.
- 3
Home sewing
In the past, many families made their own underclothes at home.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- underclothesnoun