underdress
Americanverb (used without object)
noun
-
garments worn beneath others; underclothes.
-
a slip, petticoat, or other underskirt, especially one designed to be seen when worn, as beneath a redingote.
Etymology
Origin of underdress
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.
See Examples For:
He wasn't about to underdress for the occasion.
From Time Magazine Archive
An underdress of heavy fleece wool and waterproof canvas is worn inside, the rubber canvas trousers, with pockets, outside.
From Time Magazine Archive
She wears an underdress of pale green silk, draped with an overdress of thin ecru canvas embroidered with gold.
From Arms and the Man by Shaw, Bernard
He wore a blue coat with buff facings and buff underdress, a small sword, rich epaulets, a black cockade in his three-cornered hat, and a blue sash under his coat.
From In the Days of Poor Richard by Bacheller, Irving
His underdress, by no means in a military style, was covered by a deep ash-coloured hunting shirt, legging and moccasins if the latter could be procured.
From Picturesque Quebec : a sequel to Quebec past and present by Le Moine, J. M. (James MacPherson), Sir
A friend who was at the party with me recalls that, as underdressed as he was, Epstein pulled everyone’s focus to him—even the most powerful people in the room.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 20, 2026
As I waited for my cappuccino in a line of VIP shoppers and newsletter subscribers sporting an abundance of Chanel handbags, I felt underdressed in jeans, sans blowout.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 13, 2023
I’m going to be underdressed for the magentaverse.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 2, 2022
During my visit to Steiner Studios, where I felt extremely underdressed, King took me around the various sets, each immaculate.
From New York Times ● Dec. 3, 2021
Even wearing Jesse’s shirt I felt underdressed compared to Audrey.
From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson
His biggest etiquette pet peeves include underdressing and overfamiliarity, especially in virtual settings.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 16, 2025
Avoid the gruesome pitfalls of overdressing or underdressing.
From Slate ● Feb. 2, 2012
Last week, after three winters of wartime underdressing, U.S. partygoers were back in evening clothes.
From Time Magazine Archive
"I can't ever put on all those other things," he declared, indicating the elaborate underdressing.
From The Wrong Twin by Wilson, Harry Leon
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.
