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.

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lapel British  

/ ləˈpɛl /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• lapelled adjective
• lapelless adjective

Etymology

Origin of lapel

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

Example Sentences

Angry, the 60-year-old cannot come to terms with the loss of her daughter Annalee, a little blonde girl in a cowboy hat whose smile lights up the pin attached to the lapel of her jacket.

From Barron's

He became a fixture on television news, wearing either military style tactical gear or a long, double-breasted green overcoat with wide lapels that critics said was meant to echo Nazi German military garb.

From Barron's

The prince and princess, both wearing daffodils on their lapels, also visited a forge and met nursery children aged three and four waiting with signs they had drawn.

From BBC

Glinting under the exhibition centre lights, the gold brooch studded with gemstones on the startup founder's lapel was handmade by Indian artisans -- but artificial intelligence dreamt up its elaborate design.

From Barron's

There is evidence of this methodology in practice at Worthing High School, including photographs of students listing their latest achievements and blazer lapels full of badges.

From BBC

Related Words

• pleat