Wedgy

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈwɛdʒ.i/

Definitions

1. A style of attire marked by tightness that causes fabric to be caught between the buttocks
2. A comical way to describe the irritation from clothes that ride uncomfortably
3. Clothing that fits so snugly it causes fabric to become wedged uncomfortably between the buttocks ; a humorous expression for the annoyance felt when garments shift and pinch in an awkward spot

Etymology: "Wedgy" is a simple formation: the noun "wedge" with the suffix "-y", which turns a noun into an adjective meaning "having the quality of" or "characterised by" the noun. The noun itself goes back through Old English and Germanic roots to a word for a tapered block, so the adjective is a straightforward descendant of that sense. The meaning here comes from the way a wedge fits: it is driven into a narrow space and grips tightly. A garment that is "wedgy" in this sense is cut or sized so snugly that it seems to be forced into place, most often used of underwear that rides up or clings between the buttocks. The image is physical and specific, and the word's sense is essentially a description of the wedge's tight, forced fit.

Synonyms: angular, pointed, wedge-shaped, slanted, triangular

Antonyms: flat, smooth, level, even, rounded