knickers
Americannoun
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Also knickerbockers loose-fitting short trousers gathered in at the knees.
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Chiefly British.
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a bloomerslike undergarment worn by women.
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British Informal. a woman's or girl's short-legged underpants.
idioms
plural noun
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an undergarment for women covering the lower trunk and sometimes the thighs and having separate legs or leg-holes
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a US variant of knickerbockers
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slang to become agitated, flustered, or upset
Usage
What does knickers mean? Knickers most commonly refers to women’s underwear.Knickers is primarily used in the U.K., where it may sound a little old-fashioned or childish—a lot of British people think of knickers as what grandmothers and little girls wear (as opposed to underwear). It is often used to intentionally imply such associations or to be funny.In the U.S., knickers was once used to refer to breeches, a kind of knee-length pants once popular for men and boys. But both the pants and the word for them are rarely used anymore.Example: My mum bought me some new knickers that look like they’re for my granny.
Etymology
Origin of knickers
1880–85; shortened form of knickerbockers, plural of knickerbocker, special use of Knickerbocker
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.
The Hurricanes walked from PNC Arena in old-timey plaid golf knickers, matching hats and a black top over a white collared shirt with red tie.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 18, 2023
You begin by getting dressed, pulling on knickers and a cloth chest protector, navigating various straps and zippers, cinching up a thick jacket.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 6, 2022
Remnants of clothing including half a pair of knickers, a pair of tights, a bra, remains of some shoes and a sweater were also in the tank.
From BBC • Jul. 15, 2022
Those at Zehnder’s dress in the restaurant’s colonial theme, with women in mobcaps and white aprons, and men in banded-collared shirts with knickers.
From New York Times • Nov. 23, 2021
His knickers ballooned and his shrieks of frightened joy startled the birds and the fat grasshoppers.
From "Sula" by Toni Morrison
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.
