ascot

¹ American  

[as-kuht, -kot] / ˈæs kət, -kɒt /

noun

1. a necktie or scarf with broad ends, tied and arranged so that the ends are laid flat, one across the other, sometimes with a pin to secure them.

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Ascot ² American  

[as-kuht] / ˈæs kət /

noun

1. a village in SE Berkshire, in S England: annual horse races.

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Ascot ¹ British  

/ ˈæskət /

noun

1. a town in S England, in Bracknell Forest unitary authority, Berkshire: noted for its horse-race meetings, esp Royal Ascot , a four-day meeting held in June. Pop: 8755 (2001)

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ascot ² British  

/ ˈæskət /

noun

1. a cravat with wide square ends, usually secured with an ornamental stud

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Etymology

Origin of ascot

1905–10; so called from the fashionable dress worn at the Ascot races

Explanation

An ascot is a wide necktie that resembles a small scarf. If you aren't a British earl or Austin Powers, wearing an ascot could be considered a fashion risk. An ascot is an old-fashioned version of a tie, usually made of narrow silk that gets much wider at the ends and is pinned or tacked at the neck. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, ascots were often worn with morning suits, and today groomsmen in weddings sometimes wear ascots. The word comes from the name of an English village, Ascot, known for meetings requiring formal dress.

Example Sentences

Wearing a blue seersucker suit spiffed up by a paisley ascot, he pointed at a display of ancient Greek art.

From Washington Post • Dec. 29, 2022

The larger one was named Mayonnaise and the smaller one was named Tartar Sauce and had a little ruffle of feathers under his chin like an ascot.

From Salon • Aug. 4, 2022

Clad in a gray overcoat and tidy ascot, Ronnie Chism strides confidently in front of the camera.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2022

Once, he recalled Father Wancura greeting him at the door wearing a blazer with brass buttons and an ascot.

From New York Times • Feb. 4, 2022

Mr. Dimblewit cleared his throat again and took off the ascot around his neck, putting it down on the chair beside the podium.

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega

Related Words

• bandanna
• shawl
• stole