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; see -le

Explanation

A lapel is the front part of a jacket or suit coat that's folded back. Your jacket's lapel is connected to your collar. Fancy or dressy men's clothing tends to have lapels — the tuxedo you wear to your uncle's wedding might have a satin lapel, for example. The suits that businessmen (and often women) wear also have lapels. Lapels come in different shapes and widths, although they almost always have a buttonhole on the left side, originally intended for wearing a flower. These days only prom- and wedding-goers tend to stick a flower in their lapel.

Example Sentences

With Trump’s planned attendance Saturday night at the Washington Hilton, some reporters have said they’ll wear pocket handkerchiefs or lapel pins prominently displaying the words of the First Amendment.

From Salon • Apr. 24, 2026

She now wore a bright red pantsuit, union pins on her lapel.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

In portraits in homes and classrooms, in photographs on the front page of the country’s main party newspaper, on lapel badges pinned over citizens’ hearts, Kim’s image became synonymous with the state.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

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 • Mar. 25, 2026

Atticus put his hand to his lapel, where was tucked a fresh scarlet bud.

From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee

Related Words

• pleat