turtleneck
turtleneck Lexical Profile
turtleneck Game Scores & Validity
• noun
North American A sweater or shirt featuring a high, close-fitting collar that folds over itself to cover the neck.
"She wore a thick black turtleneck to stay warm during her walk through the snowy park."
North American The high, close-fitting, turned-over collar itself on such a garment.
"The designer adjusted the turtleneck so that it sat perfectly under the model's chin."
Word Nuance & Usage
This term is primarily used in North American English; the exact same garment is typically referred to as a 'polo neck' in British English and a 'skivvy' in Australian English.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the United States in the late 19th century, referring to the way the high, tubular collar resembles the neck of a turtle extending from its shell.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.