women's underwear and nightclothes
"She carefully folded her silk lingerie before placing it in the drawer."
Underwear or nightclothes, especially when lacy or designed to be seductive.
"She carefully folded her silk lingerie before placing it in the drawer for the upcoming date."
In plain English: Lingerie is fancy underwear and sleepwear that people often wear for comfort or to look attractive.
"She carefully folded her colorful lingerie after washing it by hand."
Usage: Lingerie refers specifically to women's underwear and sleepwear that is often made of lace or fine fabrics for aesthetic appeal. Use this term to describe intimate apparel intended for seduction or comfort, rather than general undergarments like basic cotton briefs.
The word lingerie comes from the French phrase meaning "linen closet." Its unusual English pronunciation is a result of speakers misapplying French accent patterns rather than reflecting the original standard French sound.