neck

[ nek ]

/ nɛk /

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See synonyms for: neck / necked / necking on Thesaurus.com

noun

the part of the body of an animal or human being that connects the head and the trunk.

the part of a garment encircling, partly covering, or closest to the neck; neckline.

the length of the neck of a horse or other animal as a measure in racing.

the slender part near the top of a bottle, vase, or similar object.

any narrow, connecting, or projecting part suggesting the neck of an animal.

a narrow strip of land, as an isthmus or a cape.

a strait.

the longer and more slender part of a violin or similar stringed instrument, extending from the body to the head.

Building Trades, Machinery. the part on a shank of a bolt next to the head, especially when it has a special form.

Anatomy. a narrowed part of a bone, organ, or the like.

Dentistry. the slightly narrowed region of a tooth between the crown and the root.

Printing. beard (def. 5).

Architecture. a cylindrical continuation of the shaft of a column above the lower astragal of the capital, as in the Roman Doric and Tuscan orders.

Also called volcanic neck. Geology. the solidified lava or igneous rock filling a conduit leading either to a vent of an extinct volcano or to a laccolith.

verb (used without object)

Informal. (of two persons) to embrace, kiss, and caress one another amorously.

verb (used with object)

Informal. to embrace, kiss, and caress (someone) amorously.

to strangle or behead.

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Idioms about neck

be up to one's neck, Informal. to have a surfeit; be overburdened: Right now she's up to her neck in work.

break one's neck, Informal. to make a great effort: We broke our necks to get there on time.

get it in the neck, Slang.

to suffer punishment or loss: The trend is to consolidation and small businesses are getting it in the neck.
to be rejected or dismissed: The employees got it in the neck when the company moved overseas.
to be sharply reprimanded or scolded.

neck and neck, even or very close; indeterminate as to the outcome: They were coming toward the finish line neck and neck.

neck of the woods, Informal. neighborhood, area, or vicinity: Next time you're in this neck of the woods, drop in.

stick one's neck out, Informal. to expose oneself to danger, disaster, failure, disgrace, etc.; take a risk: He stuck his neck out by supporting an unpopular candidate.

win by a neck,

to win by a small amount or narrow margin.
Racing. to be first by a head and neck; finish closely.

Origin of neck

before 900; Middle English nekke,Old English hnecca, cognate with Dutch nek nape of neck; akin to German Nacken,Old Norse hnakki nape of neck

OTHER WORDS FROM neck

necker, nounneckless, adjectivenecklike, adjective

Words nearby neck

necessity, Necessity is the mother of invention, Nechako, Neches, Necho, neck, neck and neck, Neckar, neckband, neckcloth, necked

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use neck in a sentence

There are numerous ways in which a poorly adjusted chair can do damage to your body, from causing poor circulation to straining your neck.
Best desk chair for any home office|PopSci Commerce Team|February 11, 2021|Popular-Science
When you hit the couch and turn on the television after a long day of work, the last thing you want is to crane and cramp your neck attempting to get a clear and comfortable view.
The best wall mounts to optimize TV viewing|PopSci Commerce Team|February 5, 2021|Popular-Science
In the ’70s or ’80s, you’d have a cross or Star of David around your neck.
Peloton makes toning your glutes feel spiritual. But should Jesus be part of the experience?|Michelle Boorstein|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
The snake then stretches its neck up and repeats the process.
Newfound technique allows some tree snakes to climb wide trees|Maria Temming|February 1, 2021|Science News For Students

Feed one a photo of a man cropped right below his neck, and 43% of the time, it will autocomplete him wearing a suit.
An AI saw a cropped photo of AOC. It autocompleted her wearing a bikini.|Karen Hao|January 29, 2021|MIT Technology Review
But his fingers moved through her silky strands of hair, and then down her neck.
Powerful Congressman Writes About ‘Fleshy Breasts’|Asawin Suebsaeng|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
His chin rested on the thick plastic collar buckled around his neck.
Dungeons and Genital Clamps: Inside a Legendary BDSM Chateau|Ian Frisch|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I received many bruises on my collarbones, neck, chest, and shoulders.
Beaten By His Church for Being Gay|Justin Jones|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo then sought to bring the hulking Garner down by yoking him around the neck.
Eric Garner Was Just a Number to Them|Michael Daly|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The 21-year-old was shot three times—twice in the back and once in the back of his neck.
Chicago’s Cops Don’t Even Get Investigated for Shooting People in the Back|Justin Glawe|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One would not have wanted her white neck a mite less full or her beautiful arms more slender.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
For of sadness cometh death, and it overwhelmeth the strength, and the sorrow of the heart boweth down the neck.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
As the window dropped, Ripperda saw the wounded postilion fall on the neck of his horse.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
About her neck was hung a covered basket and a door-key; and Davy at once concluded that she was Sindbad's house-keeper.
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl
The governor attacked him, and on the way down stabbed him in the neck, with such force that he tripped and fell down.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various

British Dictionary definitions for neck

neck

/ (nɛk) /

noun

the part of an organism connecting the head with the rest of the bodyRelated adjectives: cervical, jugular

the part of a garment around or nearest the neck

something resembling a neck in shape or positionthe neck of a bottle

anatomy a constricted portion of an organ or part, such as the cervix of the uterus

a narrow or elongated projecting strip of land; a peninsula or isthmus

a strait or channel

the part of a violin, cello, etc, that extends from the body to the tuning pegs and supports the fingerboard

a solid block of lava from the opening of an extinct volcano, exposed after erosion of the surrounding rock

botany the upper, usually tubular, part of the archegonium of mosses, ferns, etc

the length of a horse's head and neck taken as an approximate distance by which one horse beats another in a raceto win by a neck

informal a short distance, amount, or marginhe is always a neck ahead in new techniques

informal impudence; audacityhe had the neck to ask for a rise

architect the narrow band at the top of the shaft of a column between the necking and the capital, esp as used in the Tuscan order

another name for beard, on printer's type

break one's neck informal to exert oneself greatly, esp by hurrying, in order to do something

by the neck Irish and Scot slang (of a bottle of beer) served unpouredgive me two bottles of stout by the neck

get it in the neck informal to be reprimanded or punished severely

neck and neck absolutely level or even in a race or competition

neck of the woods informal an area or localitya quiet neck of the woods

risk one's neck to take a great risk

informal

save one's neck to escape from a difficult or dangerous situation
save someone's neck to help someone else escape from such a situation

stick one's neck out informal to risk criticism, ridicule, failure, etc, by speaking one's mind

up to one's neck in deeply involved inhe's up to his neck in dodgy dealings

verb

(intr) informal to kiss, embrace, or fondle someone or one another passionately

(tr) British informal to swallow (something, esp a drink)he's been necking pints all night

Derived forms of neck

necker, noun

Word Origin for neck

Old English hnecca; related to Old High German hnack, Old Irish cnocc hill

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 Idioms and Phrases with neck

neck

In addition to the idioms beginning with neck

neck and neck
neck of the woods

also see:

albatross around one's neck
break one's back (neck)
breathe down someone's neck
dead from the neck up
millstone around one's neck
pain in the neck
risk life and limb (one's neck)
save someone's bacon (neck)
stick one's neck out
up to one's ears (neck)

neck

Idioms about neck

Origin of neck

OTHER WORDS FROM neck

Words nearby neck

Words related to neck

How to use neck in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for neck

Derived forms of neck

Word Origin for neck

Other Idioms and Phrases with neck