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Synonyms

lapel

American  
[luh-pel] / ləˈpɛl /

noun

  1. either of the two parts of a garment folded back on the chest, especially a continuation of a coat collar.

lapel British  
/ ləˈpɛl /

noun

  1. the continuation of the turned or folded back collar on a suit coat, jacket, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • lapelled adjective
  • lapelless adjective

Etymology

Origin of lapel

1780–90; irregular diminutive of lap 1; -le

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.

In contrast, her meetings with Pierre, who designed many of her looks for the inauguration, focus on finer details - an eighth of a inch on a collar or the cut of a lapel.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026

Bee devices are worn on the wrist, belt or lapel, and primarily function as an assistant by taking notes, offering reminders and keeping calendars.

From Barron's • Jan. 11, 2026

His supporters wore lapel pins in the shape of a badge.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 14, 2025

Someone knelt down and clipped a microphone to her lapel, a few inches from the crucifix that dangled from her neck.

From Slate • Jun. 25, 2025

She patted a Paragon pin on her lapel; the golden mouth smiled back at Ella.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

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.