skivvy
skivvy Lexical Profile
skivvy Game Scores & Validity
• noun
American An undergarment, especially a man's undershirt or pair of underpants (typically used in the plural).
"The recruits stood in line in their skivvies waiting for the medical examination."
British A female domestic servant or general worker who performs menial household chores.
"She refused to be treated like a household skivvy and demanded that everyone clean up after themselves."
Australian A lightweight, close-fitting long-sleeved shirt with a high collar or turtleneck.
"He wore a black cotton skivvy underneath his wool jacket to keep warm."
• verb
British To do menial household chores or work as a domestic drudge.
"She spent the entire weekend skivvying for her ungrateful housemates."
Word Nuance & Usage
The word carries different primary meanings across English dialects: in British English it refers to a menial household servant, in American English (usually pluralized as 'skivvies') it refers to men's underwear, and in Australian English it denotes a lightweight turtleneck shirt.