turtleneck

[ tur-tl-nek ]

noun

1. a high, close-fitting collar, often rolled or turned down, appearing especially on pullover sweaters.
2. a sweater with such a collar.

turtleneck

/ ˈtɜːtəlˌnɛk /

noun

1. 1. a round high close-fitting neck on a sweater or the sweater itself
   2. ( as modifier )

      a turtleneck sweater

Word History and Origins

Origin of turtleneck¹

First recorded in 1905–10; turtle ¹ + neck

Example Sentences

If I pose a question whose premise doesn’t sit right, she tilts her head, bouncy curls spilling over one shoulder of her turtleneck—perplexed but not unkind—and takes a moment to think before explaining why.

From Time

If you could wear the turtleneck sweater the right way, talk the talk, walk the walk, you might be able to get access to capital.

From Freakonomics

TikTok is a home for the literary “dark academia” crowd, who are Harry Potter-inspired tweed wearers, fans of leather accoutrements, thrifted turtlenecks and more.

From Ozy

A turtleneck gray sweater—it was herringbone tweed—and a cap.

From The Daily Beast

The high-cheekboned actor wears a leather jacket and turtleneck and slicks back his hair in Out of the Furnace.

From The Daily Beast

Well, it seems like she hasn't kicked the habit, since the singer's semi-sheer turtleneck onesie has a matching nun-like headpice.

From The Daily Beast

The singer's thigh-high stilettos and tight turtleneck mini were an intersting choice for Sunday best.

From The Daily Beast

Loud, overbearing, and unseemly, he is the very personification of the human id in a mock turtleneck and gold chain.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• blouse
• jersey
• pullover
• tunic