skivvy

1

or sciv·vy

[ skiv-ee ]
See synonyms for: skivvyskivviedskivviesskivvying on Thesaurus.com

noun,plural skiv·vies.Informal.
  1. Also called skivvy shirt . a man's cotton T-shirt.

  2. skivvies, underwear consisting of cotton T-shirt and shorts.

  1. a thin sweater with a round neck, usually worn over a blouse, turtleneck, or the like.

Origin of skivvy

1
First recorded in 1925–30; origin uncertain

Words Nearby skivvy

Other definitions for skivvy (2 of 2)

skivvy2
[ skiv-ee ]

noun,plural skiv·vies.
  1. a female servant, especially a chambermaid.

verb (used without object),skiv·vied, skiv·vy·ing.
  1. to work as a skivvy.

Origin of skivvy

2
First recorded in 1910–15; origin uncertain

usage note For skivvy

This term is used with disparaging intent, implying the low rank of such a servant.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use skivvy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for skivvy (1 of 2)

skivvy1

/ (ˈskɪvɪ) /


nounplural -vies
  1. mainly British often derogatory a servant, esp a female, who does menial work of all kinds; drudge

verb-vies, -vying or -vied
  1. (intr) British to work as a skivvy

Origin of skivvy

1
C20: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for skivvy (2 of 2)

skivvy2

/ (ˈskɪvɪ) /


nounplural -vies
  1. slang, mainly US a man's T-shirt or vest

  2. (plural) slang, mainly US men's underwear

  1. Australian and NZ a garment resembling a sweater with long sleeves and a polo neck, usually made of stretch cotton or cotton and polyester and worn by either sex

Origin of skivvy

2
of unknown origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012