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skivvy

1

or sciv·vy

[ skiv-ee ]
/ ˈskɪv i /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR skivvy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural skiv·vies.Informal.

Also called skivvy shirt . a man's cotton T-shirt.
skivvies, underwear consisting of cotton T-shirt and shorts.
a thin sweater with a round neck, usually worn over a blouse, turtleneck, or the like.

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Origin of skivvy

1
First recorded in 1925–30; origin uncertain

Words nearby skivvy

skittish, skittle, skittle out, skive, skiver, skivvy, skiwear, sklent, skoal, Škoda, skodaic resonance

Definition for skivvy (2 of 2)

skivvy2
[ skiv-ee ]
/ ˈskɪv i /
British Disparaging.

noun, plural skiv·vies.

a female servant, especially a chambermaid.

verb (used without object), skiv·vied, skiv·vy·ing.

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. 2020

Words related to skivvy

laborer, servant, worker, serf, captive, victim, corset, lingerie, shorts, undergarment, underpants, undershirt, bikini, bra, toil, chattel, help, toiler, vassal, thrall

Example sentences from the Web for skivvy

British Dictionary definitions for skivvy (1 of 2)

skivvy1
/ (ˈskɪvɪ) /

noun plural -vies

mainly British often derogatory a servant, esp a female, who does menial work of all kinds; drudge

verb -vies, -vying or -vied

(intr) British to work as a skivvy

Word Origin for skivvy

C20: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for skivvy (2 of 2)

skivvy2
/ (ˈskɪvɪ) /

noun plural -vies

slang, mainly US a man's T-shirt or vest
(plural) slang, mainly US men's underwear
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

Word Origin for skivvy

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