décolletage
Americannoun
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the neckline of a dress cut low in the front or back and often across the shoulders.
-
a décolleté garment or costume.
noun
Etymology
Origin of décolletage
1890–95; < French, equivalent to décollet ( er ) ( see décolleté + -age -age
Explanation
Décolletage is a plunging neckline on a woman's dress. Without decolletage, there would be no cleavage. This French word comes from a verb meaning “expose the neck,” and that’s exactly what décolletage does: it’s a low neckline on a woman’s dress or shirt. Décolletage is revealing, and whether that’s sexy or sleazy is in the eye of the beholder. The opposite of décolletage would be a high neckline. People who know a lot about décolletage would include clothing designers and fashion observers. You’ll find décolletage aplenty on the red carpet at any Hollywood awards show.
Vocabulary lists containing decolletage
Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All
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The Age of Innocence
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A historically correct Gaston would have delighted in an opulently embroidered waistcoat and ruffled jabot, rather than a solid colored V-neck whose only adornment was its plunging décolletage.
From New York Times • Dec. 26, 2021
The town of Cluses, where it begins, is known for its watchmaking, and home to the musée de l’horlogerie et du décolletage.
From The Guardian • Jul. 4, 2021
If you must wear that shoulderless sundress, carry a large scarf that you can wrap around your shoulders or cover any décolletage.
From Washington Times • Sep. 21, 2019
They were dime-sized and dainty on pale purple tights, pinned at the décolletage or knotted belt-like at the waist.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2019
No one can find fault with us if our trains, our décolletage, our sleeves and gloves, are not according to regulations.
From The Sunny Side of Diplomatic Life, 1875-1912 by Hegermann-Lindencrone, L. de (Lillie de)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
