décolletage

American  

[dey-kol-tahzh, -kol-uh-, dek-uh-luh-, dey-kawl-tazh] / ˌdeɪ kɒlˈtɑʒ, -kɒl ə-, ˌdɛk ə lə-, deɪ kɔlˈtaʒ /

Or decolletage

noun

1. the neckline of a dress cut low in the front or back and often across the shoulders.

2. a décolleté garment or costume.

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décolletage British  

/ ˌdeɪkɒlˈtɑːʒ, dekɔltaʒ /

noun

1. a low-cut neckline or a woman's garment with a low neck

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Etymology

Origin of décolletage

1890–95; < French, equivalent to décollet ( er ) ( see décolleté + -age -age

Explanation

Décolletage is a plunging neckline on a woman's dress. Without decolletage, there would be no cleavage. This French word comes from a verb meaning “expose the neck,” and that’s exactly what décolletage does: it’s a low neckline on a woman’s dress or shirt. Décolletage is revealing, and whether that’s sexy or sleazy is in the eye of the beholder. The opposite of décolletage would be a high neckline. People who know a lot about décolletage would include clothing designers and fashion observers. You’ll find décolletage aplenty on the red carpet at any Hollywood awards show.