Synonyms

undershorts

American

[uhn-der-shawrts] / ˈʌn dərˌʃɔrts /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

short underpants for men and boys.

undershorts British

/ ˈʌndəˌʃɔːts /

plural noun

another word for shorts

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of undershorts

1945–50; under- + shorts

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.

Similarly, during the Middle Ages, Celts and Germanic tribespeople wore baggy undershorts called braies.

From National Geographic • Jan. 9, 2024

Now they are allowed to wear dark-colored undershorts.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 5, 2023

Saturday, 1 November was All Saints Day, and the Sanctuary of Divine Love was full for morning Mass. Among the well-dressed congregation, the young man in his vest and undershorts stood out.

From BBC • Oct. 26, 2019

It was the equivalent of the tough guy in the trench coat getting caught with his undershorts around his ankles.

From Washington Post • Oct. 9, 2018

He sprawled across his bed in his T-shirt and undershorts.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023