Origin: Greek prefix pan-
Definition, synonyms and related words
plural of panty
"She realized she had forgotten to pack her panties before heading out on the weekend trip."
Underpants for women and girls.
In plain English: Panties are underwear that women and girls wear to cover their private parts.
"She quickly tucked her panties back into her shorts before leaving the house."
Usage: Use this term to refer specifically to women's or girls' undergarments when speaking informally or in casual contexts. Avoid using it in formal writing, professional settings, or around children where more neutral terms like underwear are preferred.
Derived from the verb to pant, this term originally referred to loose, baggy undergarments worn by men in the 19th century before evolving into its modern meaning of women's underwear. The shift occurred through a folk etymological association with the idea of "pants" being tight or restrictive rather than loose.