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

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

An account affiliated with the Libertarian Party on X appeared to tacitly support Weir’s proposal, posting a palette of button-down shirts, quarter zips, khakis and loafers to guide the choices of convention attendees.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

Eugene Levert, chain-smoking next to a stack of books while wearing a vertical blue-striped button-down and khaki slacks, looked the scholarly mirror of Doug Lamplugh, in a horizontal blue-striped polo and khaki shorts.

From Slate • May 4, 2026

Newsboy caps, button-down vests and a predominance of subtle plaids recalled "Peaky Blinders", while pocket watch chains consolidated the 1920s feel.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

He wore a plaid button-down shirt with chino shorts, and I thought about how long it had been since he’d worn clothes that could not be classified as either pajamas or underwear.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen