shapewear

IPA/ˈʃeɪpweə(r)/
IPA/ˈʃeɪpwer/

shapewear — noun

1. A close-fitting undergarment designed to be worn under clothing. It presses on t

1.nounB2
Definition

A close-fitting undergarment designed to be worn under clothing. It presses on the stomach, hips, and thighs to make the body's outline look smoother and more even.

Example

Layla wore shapewear under her dress for the wedding reception.

worn under formal clothing

The shop assistant helped Gabriela choose the right size of shapewear.

Common collocations
  • breathable shapewear
  • high-waisted shapewear
  • seamless shapewear
  • shapewear under [dress/skirt/outfit]
  • wear shapewear
  • a pair of shapewear
Synonyms
  • foundation garment

    more formal and slightly dated; covers a broader range of structuring undergarments

  • body shaper

    usually refers to a specific piece of shapewear that covers the torso, rather than the whole category

  • control top

    limited to hosiery and tights that have a firm panel at the waist and hips

  • girdle

    an older term for a similar product; now sounds old-fashioned and less common in modern marketing

Grammar Patterns

uncountable noun (most common)

a piece of shapewear

a pair of shapewear

Usage Note

Typically used as an uncountable mass noun (e.g. 'she bought some shapewear'). For a single item, the phrases 'a piece of shapewear' or 'a pair of shapewear' are more natural than 'a shapewear'.

Common Mistakes

I need to buy a shapewear for my dress.
I need to buy some shapewear for my dress.
shapewear is usually uncountable; avoid using 'a' directly before it.
She wore shapewears to the party.
She wore shapewear to the party.
shapewear does not add -s for plural; it stays as shapewear.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four terms describe undergarments that smooth or shape the body, but they differ in register and scope. Shapewear is the modern, broad term used in fashion media and product marketing for any stretch garment designed to reshape the figure. Foundation garment is a more formal, industry-oriented word that includes bras and corsets alongside shaping shorts and tanks. Body shaper usually refers to a one-piece or high-waisted garment that covers the torso specifically, rather than category-wide. Girdle is the traditional term — it now sounds dated and mainly appears in historical contexts or in reference to vintage-style undergarments. For example: 'The shop stocks shapewear for everyday wear,' but an elderly customer might ask for 'a girdle for special occasions.'

shapewear ↗foundation garmentbody shaper ↗girdle ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • a pair of shapewear
  • a piece of shapewear
  • a range of shapewear

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

A modern compound word formed from shape (from Old English sceapian, meaning 'to create or form') and wear (from Old English werian, meaning 'to have on the body as clothing'). The term first appeared in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the fashion industry rebranded traditional foundation garments such as girdles and corsets as lighter, more comfortable shaping underwear.

First known use

1962

1962, in the meaning defined above