lingerie

[lahn-zhuh-rey, lan-zhuh-ree, -juh-, lanzh^uh-ree]

noun

1. underwear, sleepwear, and other items of intimate apparel worn by women.

2. Archaic.,  linen goods in general.

adjective

1. having the qualities of lingerie; lacy or frilly.

lingerie

/ ˈlænʒərɪ /

noun

1. women's underwear and nightwear

2. archaic,  linen goods collectively

Word History and Origins

Origin of lingerie¹

First recorded in 1825–35; from French, from Middle French linge “linen” (from Latin līneus “flaxen”; line ¹ ) + -erie -ery

Word History and Origins

Origin of lingerie¹

C19: from French, from linge, from Latin līneus linen, from līnum flax

Example Sentences

Boxes and bags with items to be sorted designate a clear walking path, and the extra bedrooms are deemed the lingerie section, which dates back to the Victorian era.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Subscribers and regular gallery-goers have since carved pinewood derby cars, participated in a figure drawing class where models in lingerie were bound by ropes and shopped at a monthly vendor market.

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This Teen Vogue pictorial offers a glimpse of the audience at Carpenter's concerts: teen girls and young women wearing over-the-top girl gear, all pink bows and lace lingerie, with tongues firmly planted in cheek.

Read more on Salon

Father-of-three Zahid, who was known as Boss Man, gave free underwear from his lingerie stall to the girls, who did not know each other.

Read more on BBC

But, Deng says, the woman's relatives eventually came around and she has since modelled for a top lingerie brand.

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Related Words

• underwear