necklace

American  

[nek-lis] / ˈnɛk lɪs /

noun

1. a piece of jewelry consisting of a string of stones, beads, jewels, or the like, or a chain of gold, silver, or other metal, for wearing around the neck.

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necklace British  

/ ˈnɛklɪs /

noun

1. a chain, band, or cord, often bearing beads, pearls, jewels, etc, worn around the neck as an ornament, esp by women

2. (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

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verb

1. (tr) to kill (someone) by placing a burning tyre round his or her neck

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

A harbinger of disaster is a replica of the harness-like 2,842 carat necklace from the “Diamond Necklace Affair” of 1785.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026

The Taleju Necklace, dating back to the 17th century, is a case in point.

From BBC • Nov. 3, 2024

Celebrate all things fashion as well as New York designer Marc Jacobs’ 40th anniversary with this cute Tote Bag Necklace.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2024

But he also produced structurally complex works, including the Fringe Necklace from 1956.

From New York Times • Sep. 22, 2021

On his shoulder, like a tired child, lay Aunt Peace, who had put on, at last, her Necklace of Perfect Joy.

From The Master's Violin by Reed, Myrtle

Related Words

• choker
• jewelry
• pendant
• strand