unmentionable
unmentionable Lexical Profile
unmentionable Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
So shocking, offensive, or embarrassing that it may not be spoken of.
"The documentary explored several topics that were once considered unmentionable in polite society."
• noun
Undergarments, especially women's underwear (usually used in the plural).
"She quickly packed her unmentionables into the bottom of the suitcase before closing it."
A person or thing that is too offensive, embarrassing, or taboo to be spoken of (usually used in the plural).
"The family gathering proceeded smoothly because everyone agreed to avoid the usual unmentionables at the dinner table."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used as a noun to mean undergarments, this word is almost exclusively used in its plural form, 'unmentionables', often with a humorous or quaint tone.
• Rhymes for unmentionable
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the 17th century from the prefix 'un-', 'mention', and '-able'. The humorous plural noun sense arose in the early 19th century as a Victorian euphemism initially for trousers and later for undergarments.