underwear

clothing

Also known as: undergarment

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

Underwear refers to clothing worn beneath other garments. It is also known as underclothes, undergarments, or undies. This category includes items such as briefs, boxers, undershirts, and slips. The term "unmentionables" is also a synonym for underwear. Outerwear is the opposite of underwear.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

vulvitis
…reactions from direct contact with underwear or commercial hygiene products. The vulva can become the site of infections by bacteria, fungi, or viruses, and vulvitis may also accompany similar infections of the vagina (vaginitis). Depletion of estrogen, as occurs in postmenopausal women, can lead to drying and thinning of the…
Read More
…reactions from direct contact with underwear or commercial hygiene products. The vulva can become the site of infections by bacteria, fungi, or viruses, and vulvitis may also accompany similar infections of the vagina (vaginitis). Depletion of estrogen, as occurs in postmenopausal women, can lead to drying and thinning of the…
Read More

girdle
…States, in referring to an undergarment whose purpose is similar to that of a corset but not so restricting. It is typically made of a synthetic fibre such nylon, Lycra, or spandex that has been woven to give it a two-way-stretch quality.
Read More
…States, in referring to an undergarment whose purpose is similar to that of a corset but not so restricting. It is typically made of a synthetic fibre such nylon, Lycra, or spandex that has been woven to give it a two-way-stretch quality.
Read More