knickers
Americannoun
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Also knickerbockers loose-fitting short trousers gathered in at the knees.
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Chiefly British.
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a bloomerslike undergarment worn by women.
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British Informal. a woman's or girl's short-legged underpants.
idioms
plural noun
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an undergarment for women covering the lower trunk and sometimes the thighs and having separate legs or leg-holes
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a US variant of knickerbockers
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slang to become agitated, flustered, or upset
Usage
What does knickers mean? Knickers most commonly refers to women’s underwear.Knickers is primarily used in the U.K., where it may sound a little old-fashioned or childish—a lot of British people think of knickers as what grandmothers and little girls wear (as opposed to underwear). It is often used to intentionally imply such associations or to be funny.In the U.S., knickers was once used to refer to breeches, a kind of knee-length pants once popular for men and boys. But both the pants and the word for them are rarely used anymore.Example: My mum bought me some new knickers that look like they’re for my granny.
Etymology
Origin of knickers
1880–85; shortened form of knickerbockers, plural of knickerbocker, special use of Knickerbocker
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"I got a little inkling of what Superman feels like when he puts his knickers on," Cullen laughs.
From BBC
On social media, the Fleet lights - which the council said were meant to look like lanterns - were described as resembling knickers.
From BBC
People on social media have said the request trivialised animal rights issues, but Ms Allen has hit back saying critics were getting their "knickers in a twist".
From BBC
Costs for period knickers range from £8 to £46 for a pack of three online.
From BBC
Ollie Robinson has played the role of provocateur to twist the knickers of the Aussie media.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
