button-down

American  

[buht-n-doun] / ˈbʌt nˌdaʊn /

adjective

1. (of a shirt collar) having buttonholes so it can be buttoned to the body of the shirt.

2. (of a shirt) having a button-down collar.

3. (of a shirt) having buttons down the front from the collar to the bottom.

4. Also buttoned-down (especially of attitudes, opinions, etc.) extremely conventional; unimaginative.

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button-down British  

adjective

1. (of a collar) having points that are fastened to the garment with buttons

2. (of a shirt) having a button-down collar

3. Also: buttoned-down.  conventional or conservative

   a button-down corporate culture

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Etymology

Origin of button-down

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

button-down

Taylor, our cheery guide, met us wearing a short-sleeved button-down shirt and a bow tie.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

Locke wore an all-black designer outfit, while Connor — dressed in a light blue striped button-down over a white tank and khakis — had traded Nick’s signature floppy hair for designer stubble.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026

A styling group stores troves of neutral tone crew and V-neck sweaters, button-down shirts, slacks and extra pairs of the Silver Lining Opticians “Carbon” glasses at an off-site building, current and former employees said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 31, 2026

You’d think that the night was done by the time he returns to the stage, soaking wet, having discarded the vest he wears over his white button-down shirt.

From Salon ● May 28, 2026

Dressed in pressed khakis and a crisp, blue button-down, Dad towered over Mom’s petite frame.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas