knickers
/'nikəz/
Học thuậtThân thiện
A young woman folds a pair of white knickers and places them in a dresser drawer.
Definition
- Noun (plural):
- Women's undergarments: A garment worn by women and girls covering the body from the waist or hips to the top of the thighs; underpants.
- Loose-fitting short trousers: Historically, trousers that are loose and gathered at the knee, ending just below it.
Usage and Examples
- Noun (referring to underwear):
- She bought a new pair of lace knickers.
- The term "knickers" is commonly used in British English.
- Noun (referring to historic trousers):
- In the 19th century, men and boys often wore knickers for sporting activities.
Advanced Usage and Notes
- The word is almost always used in the plural form ("knickers").
- In British English, "knickers" is the standard term for women's underwear. The American English equivalent is typically "panties" or "underpants."
- The phrase "to get one's knickers in a twist" is a common British idiom meaning to become overly upset, agitated, or confused about something.
- Don't get your knickers in a twist; it's just a minor problem.
Variants and Related Words
- Knickers is the standard modern term.
- Knickerbockers (noun, plural): The fuller historical term for the loose knee-length trousers, from which "knickers" is derived.
Synonyms
- For underwear: Panties (AmE), underpants, briefs, undies (informal).
- For trousers: Breeches, plus-fours, knee pants.
Idioms and Phrases
- Get one's knickers in a twist: To become unnecessarily upset or agitated.
- He got his knickers in a twist over a small scheduling error.
A young woman folds a pair of white knickers and places them in a dresser drawer.
Noun
- underpants worn by women
- she was afraid that her bloomers might have been showing
- trousers ending above the knee