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:
An underdress of heavy fleece wool and waterproof canvas is worn inside, the rubber canvas trousers, with pockets, outside.
From Time Magazine Archive
He wasn't about to underdress for the occasion.
From Time Magazine Archive
From her shoulders fell a long full robe of purple byssus, over an underdress of white which readied the knee.
From Idolatry A Romance by Julian Hawthorne
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 Bernard Shaw
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 Sir J. M. (James MacPherson) Le Moine
That brings me back to the incident many years ago, as I stood in the Russian woods with my friend, underdressed and with my teeth beginning to chatter.
From Salon ● Sep. 19, 2026
If you would feel underdressed, you have your answer: Don’t wear it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
I wasn’t the most underdressed belle at the ball, though; I saw four women wearing what I can only surmise were American flag beach cover-ups.
From Slate ● Nov. 21, 2023
Unless you come decked out in your best Armani or Gaultier to see Carole Cook’s new show, “Dress Up,” in the new Upstairs at the Pasadena Playhouse series, you’re definitely going to feel underdressed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 11, 2023
At first I think he’s severely underdressed, that I wasn’t the only idiot who showed up looking like one today.
From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle
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 Harry Leon Wilson
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