shapewear: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Commercial/Fashion, Everyday
Quick answer
What does “shapewear” mean?
Underwear or close-fitting garments designed to shape, smooth, or contour the body for aesthetic or postural purposes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Underwear or close-fitting garments designed to shape, smooth, or contour the body for aesthetic or postural purposes.
A category of intimate apparel and foundation garments, including items like bodysuits, shorts, slips, and high-waisted briefs, engineered with elastic materials to provide compression and create a desired silhouette under clothing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used identically. The concept may be historically associated with terms like 'foundation garments' (shared) or 'girdle' (more dated, but understood in both varieties).
Connotations
Neutral to positive modern connotations of fashion, self-care, and choice. No significant difference in connotation between varieties.
Frequency
The frequency is comparable. It is a standard term in fashion retail and media in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “shapewear” in a Sentence
[wear/use/buy] shapewear[design/market] shapewear [for + purpose]shapewear [made from/of + material]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shapewear” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- This fabric is designed to shapewear the body comfortably.
American English
- This fabric is designed to shapewear the body comfortably.
adverb
British English
- [Not a standard adverbial form]
American English
- [Not a standard adverbial form]
adjective
British English
- The shapewear industry has grown rapidly.
American English
- She works in the shapewear industry.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in retail, e-commerce, fashion marketing, and product descriptions.
Academic
Rare; may appear in fashion studies, cultural studies, or sociology papers discussing body image and consumer culture.
Everyday
Common in conversations about clothing, dressing for special occasions, fashion advice, and shopping.
Technical
Used in textile and apparel design to refer to garments with specific compression and shaping properties.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shapewear”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shapewear”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shapewear”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a shapewear' is incorrect; say 'a piece of shapewear' or 'a shapewear garment').
- Confusing it with 'activewear' or 'sportswear', which are for athletic activities.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both shape the body, corsets are historically structured with boning and lacing, often for waist reduction. Modern shapewear is typically made from elasticated fabrics (like nylon and spandex) and focuses on smoothing and contouring with more flexibility.
Yes. While historically marketed to women, shapewear for men (often called 'shapewear' or 'compression undergarments') is a growing market, designed to smooth the torso and back.
When worn correctly in the proper size and for reasonable periods, it is generally safe. However, overly tight shapewear worn for extended periods can cause digestive discomfort, skin irritation, or breathing difficulties. It's important to choose the right fit.
Spanx is a popular brand name of shapewear. 'Shapewear' is the general category (like 'tissues'), and 'Spanx' is a specific brand within that category (like 'Kleenex').
Underwear or close-fitting garments designed to shape, smooth, or contour the body for aesthetic or postural purposes.
Shapewear is usually commercial/fashion, everyday in register.
Shapewear: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃeɪpˌwɛə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃeɪpˌwɛr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No specific idioms. The word itself is a modern compound.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of garments that 'wear' (as in clothing) your body into a 'shape'. Shape + wear = clothing for shaping.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A MATERIAL TO BE SCULPTED/MOULDED. Shapewear is a 'tool' for this sculpting process.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of shapewear?