WordGarden.ioundies
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈʌndiz/
US
Meanings
Noun
underwear or underpants
Beyond the definition
"Undies" is a playful, informal word for underwear, the clothes you wear under your other clothes. It is common in casual speech with friends and family, but you would usually avoid it in formal writing or serious professional situations. It sounds warm, relaxed, and a little funny.
The word often comes up when people talk about laundry, getting dressed, packing for a trip, or everyday little accidents like forgetting a clean pair. It usually means ordinary items like briefs, panties, or boxers, not fancy lingerie. You might hear someone say, "Don't forget your undies!" or "I need to wash my undies."
"Undies" is a very informal, friendly word for underwear. It usually refers to the basic pieces worn under your clothes, especially briefs, panties, boxers, or similar everyday items. In some situations, people may use it loosely for underclothes in general, but most often they mean the main lower-body garment rather than every kind of undergarment.
The word is mostly used in conversation. You might hear it at home, between partners, between friends, or when adults speak to children in a light and easy way. It would sound out of place in a scientific paper, a legal document, or most formal business writing, where "underwear" or "undergarments" would fit better.
Think of the kinds of moments where it appears: a parent reminding a child to put on clean undies, a friend joking about laundry day, or someone realizing too late that they forgot to pack enough for a weekend away. The tone is lighthearted and familiar. Compared with "underwear," which is neutral, "undies" feels more personal, casual, and sometimes a bit playful.
Because of that informality, it is usually best to avoid the word in professional settings or in delicate conversations with people you do not know well. In the right context, though, it can make everyday speech sound more natural, warm, and human. It is a small, ordinary word, but it carries a clear sense of comfort, privacy, and daily life.
Examples
- 1
Laundry
I need to wash some undies tonight.
- Usage
casual, playful everyday word
- 2
Packing
She packed three pairs of undies for the trip.
- Grammara pair of undies
one item
- 3
Child at home
The toddler ran through the house in just his undies.
- 4
Clean clothes
I'm down to my last clean pair of undies, so I have to do laundry today.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- outerwear
- going commando
Used with (collocations)
- clean undies
- a pair of undies
- change your undies
Word family
- undie
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- undiesnoun