[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/unmentionables/)

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# unmentionables

noun (plural only, «unmentionables»; adjective «unmentionable»)

«unmentionables» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (euphemism, humorous) underwear: pants, knickers, bras. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unmentionables/#m1)
2. (adjective, «unmentionable») too shocking or embarrassing to talk about. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unmentionables/#m2)

### In the lessons

An old-fashioned, coy and now jokey word for underwear, used in all English-speaking countries; it plays on the idea that underwear should not be mentioned. The adjective is used for embarrassing subjects.

### Examples

- (joke) Don't hang your unmentionables on the front fence! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unmentionables/#x1)
- (shop) Unmentionables are on the second floor. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unmentionables/#x2)
- (holiday) I packed everything except my unmentionables. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unmentionables/#x3)
- (chat) the washing machine ate my unmentionables [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unmentionables/#x4)
- (old book) Ladies' unmentionables were never shown in shop windows. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unmentionables/#x5)
- (adjective) Her cooking was unmentionable — truly awful! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unmentionables/#x6)

### Note

Trap: only plural as a noun. A joke word — in a shop, say «underwear». The adjective «unmentionable» = too bad to talk about.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «unmentionables» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unmentionables/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«unmentionables» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/unmentionables.html) on Mova free.