necklace
Americannoun
-
necklaces
plural
noun
-
a chain, band, or cord, often bearing beads, pearls, jewels, etc, worn around the neck as an ornament, esp by women
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(in South Africa) a tyre soaked in petrol, placed round a person's neck, and set on fire in order to burn the person to death
verb
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of necklace
1580–90; neck + lace (in the sense “a cord or string to pull opposite ends together”)
Explanation
A necklace is jewelry you wear around your neck. You might decide your sparkly faux-diamond necklace is a bit dressy for your cousin's baseball game — but perfect for a fancy dinner out. A necklace can be a simple gold or silver chain, a length of beads or gems, or a pendant hanging from a cord. As long as it's worn around the neck, it's a necklace. The word, which dates from the late 1500s, combines neck with lace, meaning "cord," from the Old French laz, "string, cord, or snare." The Latin root, laqueum, means "noose or snare."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The company is working on a locketlike Muse device that hangs on a necklace or keychain and will, purportedly, let you talk to your Muse when doing so via your phone is too much work.
From Slate ● Oct. 14, 2026
Besides a necklace of thorns, which draws small drops of blood, Kahlo appears to be more focused on the relief of healing.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026
She transforms a rainbow of blossoms into hair adornments, earrings, necklace pendants and rings, treating her homegrown organic materials like precious gems.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
The diamonds on the necklace weigh in excess of 200 carats.
From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026
On his chest he wore a magnificent necklace of red deer teeth.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
"We were standing in front of a shop selling necklaces costing 15,000 euros. It's quite a stark contrast," he added.
From Barron's ● Sep. 26, 2026
Chainlink necklaces, lace headpieces and even fringe bangs become a form of armor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
He promised to send gifts, silk scarves and pearl necklaces.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
Partygoers seemed more enthused about the vendor selling beaded plushie necklaces than about heading to the dance floor.
From Slate ● Jun. 25, 2026
“We wouldn’t hurt it. May I try it on? Mother lets me try on her necklaces and I never hurt them.”
From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
