2 meanings : 1. women's underwear and nightwear 2. archaic linen goods collectively.... Click for more definitions. Ladies wear lingerie as undergarments or sleepwear. When you go the department store, instead of asking, “Where do you keep the underpants?” you could say, “Will you please direct me to the lingerie department?” What is Lingerie ? Lingerie is a term that can be used to describe women’s undergarments, sleepwear, or both. The word “ lingerie ” derives from the French word meaning “small clothes.” Lingerie is typically designed to cover intimate parts of the body such as breasts and genitals. The meaning of LINGERIE is women's intimate apparel.