Lingerie - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT lingerie /ˈlɑn(d)ʒəˌreɪ/ /lɒnʒəˈreɪ/ IPA guide

Other forms: lingeries

Ladies wear lingerie as undergarments or sleepwear. When you go the department store, instead of asking, “Where do you keep the underpants?” you could say, “Will you please direct me to the lingerie department?”

The noun lingerie, pronounced "lahn-zhuh-RAY" by most Americans, comes from the French word lingerie, which means “things made of linen.” In English, lingerie has a bit of a racy connotation, because if you use this word instead of the more common underwear, you are probably talking about silk and lace — fancy underthings that aren't meant for everyday wear.

Definitions of lingerie

noun women's underwear and nightclothes synonyms: intimate apparel see moresee less types: gown, night-robe, nightdress, nightgown, nightie lingerie consisting of a loose dress designed to be worn in bed by women undies women's underwear type of: underclothes, underclothing, underwear undergarment worn next to the skin and under the outer garments

Pronunciation US /ˈlɑn(d)ʒəˌreɪ/ UK /lɒnʒəˈreɪ/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘lingerie'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family 2 million people are mastering new words. Master a word

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