lingerie

[ lahn-zhuh-rey, lan-zhuh-ree, -juh-; French lanzhuh-ree ]

noun

1. underwear, sleepwear, and other items of intimate apparel worn by women.
2. Archaic. linen goods in general.

adjective

1. having the qualities of lingerie; lacy or frilly.

lingerie

/ ˈlænʒərɪ /

noun

1. women's underwear and nightwear
2. archaic.
   linen goods collectively

Word History and Origins

Origin of lingerie¹

First recorded in 1825–35; from French, from Middle French linge “linen” (from Latin līneus “flaxen”; line ¹ ) + -erie -ery

Word History and Origins

Origin of lingerie¹

C19: from French, from linge, from Latin līneus linen, from līnum flax

Example Sentences

I started collecting lingerie when I was about 15 years old.

From Los Angeles Times

One of them is Mike Wazowski from “Monsters Inc.” in wedding lingerie and high heels.

From Los Angeles Times

The long-standing lingerie brand has been publicly scolded for its lack of body inclusivity, for being out of touch with the times and for alleged abusive behavior towards its models.

From Salon

This year’s 45-minute lingerie lineup took place in Brooklyn at the Navy Yard’s Duggal Greenhouse and was streamed on Amazon Prime.

From Los Angeles Times

She said Trump approached and asked her to help him pick out a gift in the lingerie department.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• underwear