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
Explanation
Knickers are underwear, especially women's underpants. Your little cousin's favorite knickers might be her blue and red Wonder Woman knickers. Knickers, meaning underpants, is primarily a British term, although Americans will usually know what you mean if you use it. In the US, the primary, if outdated, meaning of knickers is "short pants." These old fashioned trousers, also known as knickerbockers or "breeches," were loose and knee-length, and worn by men and boys. Golfers and skiers commonly wore knickers in the early 20th century.
Vocabulary lists containing knickers
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.
“You also see the outside: baby’s dirty nappy or Margo’s ordinary knickers or track pants, all the unglamorous and unsexy things.”
From Los Angeles Times ● May 20, 2026
Ollie Robinson has played the role of provocateur to twist the knickers of the Aussie media.
From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2023
The Hurricanes walked from PNC Arena in old-timey plaid golf knickers, matching hats and a black top over a white collared shirt with red tie.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 18, 2023
You begin by getting dressed, pulling on knickers and a cloth chest protector, navigating various straps and zippers, cinching up a thick jacket.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 6, 2022
At Cochin Airport, Rahel’s new knickers were polka-dotted and still crisp.
From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy
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.
