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Definition of turtleneck
turtleneck
/ˈtɜːrtəlˌnɛk/
tur · tle · neck
Plural:turtlenecks
turtleneck Lexical Profile
CEFR
B1
Grade
4
Tier
2
Usage
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turtleneck Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
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WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
North American A sweater or shirt featuring a high, close-fitting collar that folds over itself to cover the neck.
Example
"She wore a thick black turtleneck to stay warm during her walk through the snowy park."
2
North American The high, close-fitting, turned-over collar itself on such a garment.
Example
"The designer adjusted the turtleneck so that it sat perfectly under the model's chin."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for turtleneckWord 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.
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.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Turtleneck. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/turtleneck