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briefs

breefs /briːfs/

nounA2

neutral

Short, snug-fitting underpants without legs, featuring an elastic waistband.

Briefs offer full coverage of the pelvis but expose the legs completely, contrasting with boxers or boy shorts which extend down the thighs.

The story behind the word. The word briefs comes from the adjective meaning 'short.' In 1935, Coopers, Inc. sold the first 'Jockey shorts' in Chicago, which were snug, legless underpants with a Y-front. Because they were so much shorter than traditional union suits, they were dubbed 'briefs.'

Word relationships

underpants: Underpants is a broad, generic term for any lower undergarment, whereas briefs specifies a short, legless, snug-fitting style.

boxers: Boxers are loose-fitting undergarments that extend down the thigh, resembling athletic shorts.

Commonly confused with

boxer briefs: Boxer briefs combine the snug fit of briefs with the longer leg coverage of boxers.

Word family

brief (adjective): Short or concise.

Collocations

cotton briefs
boxer briefs
classic briefs
low-rise briefs

Example sentences

"He packed seven pairs of cotton briefs and several t-shirts into his duffel bag." A parent packing for a child's summer camp.
"Our classic briefs are made from organic cotton with a tagless design for maximum comfort." An advertisement for comfortable men's underwear.

Memory hook

Keep it 'brief'! These underpants are short, quick to put on, and have no legs—making them very brief. Briefs: Short and snug underpants that keep it brief.

When not to use

Do not confuse with boxers (which are loose and long) or boxer briefs (which are snug but have legs).

Fun facts

The famous 'Y-front' design of classic briefs was inspired by a postcard of a man in a sleek, form-fitting swimsuit that the company's designer saw while visiting the French Riviera.

Related words

gusset, seamless, thermal

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