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skivvy

1

or sciv·vy

[ skiv-ee ]
/ ˈskɪv i /
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See synonyms for: skivvy / skivvied / skivvies / skivvying 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, Å koda, skokiaan

Other definitions 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. 2023

Words related to skivvy

captive, bond servant, bondslave, chattel, serf, toil, work, indentured servant, laborer, servant, thrall, drudge, grind away, grub, muck, plod, slog, menial

How to use skivvy in a sentence

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
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