underpants

American  

[uhn-der-pants] / ˈʌn dərˌpænts /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. drawers or shorts worn under outer clothing, usually next to the skin.

---

underpants British  

/ ˈʌndəˌpænts /

plural noun

1. Often shortened to: pants.  a man's undergarment covering the body from the waist or hips to the top of the thighs or knees

---

Etymology

Origin of underpants

First recorded in 1920–25; under- + pants

Example Sentences

Half an hour after the latest Scotland debacle in Dublin, Jack Dempsey walked up the touchline at the Aviva Stadium in his underpants.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

Joining NFL team without a good QB is scarier than showing up to Day One in your underpants.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

Just as Clark Kent turns into Superman when he changes into his famous red underpants, Michael Cullen transforms into Speedo Mick when he pulls on his tight blue trunks.

From BBC • May 30, 2025

“This is way different from when you’re in your underpants on your couch eating Cheerios, yelling at the TV,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2025

When I’m alone, I let the dishes accumulate in the sink, I allow colored fur to grow in jars of leftovers, I use up all my underpants before washing any of them.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

Related Words

• bikini
• bra
• corset
• lingerie
• shorts
• undergarment
• undershirt