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Definition of skivvies

skivvies

/ˈskɪv.iz/
skiv · vies
Plural:skivvies
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skivvies Lexical Profile

skivvies Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American Underwear, especially a man's cotton undershirt and underpants.

Example

"The recruits were ordered to line up for the morning medical inspection in nothing but their skivvies."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for skivvies

Word Nuance & Usage

Used almost exclusively in the plural form in North American English to refer to underwear, whereas the singular form 'skivvy' is used in British English to mean a low-ranking domestic servant and in Australian English to mean a turtleneck shirt.

• Rhymes for skivvies

• Nearby Words

skittle
skittles
skive
skivvies
skivvy
skiwear
skogafoss

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in early 20th-century U.S. Navy slang, originally as a trademarked brand name (Skivvie) for men's cotton undershirts and briefs before becoming a generic term.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Skivvies. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/skivvies
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