necklace

American  

[nek-lis] / ˈnɛk lɪs /

noun

1. a piece of jewelry consisting of a string of stones, beads, jewels, or the like, or a chain of gold, silver, or other metal, for wearing around the neck.

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necklace British  

/ ˈnɛklɪs /

noun

1. a chain, band, or cord, often bearing beads, pearls, jewels, etc, worn around the neck as an ornament, esp by women

2. (in South Africa) a tyre soaked in petrol, placed round a person's neck, and set on fire in order to burn the person to death

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verb

1. (tr) to kill (someone) by placing a burning tyre round his or her neck

Etymology

Origin of necklace

1580–90; neck + lace (in the sense “a cord or string to pull opposite ends together”)

Example Sentences

Accessories including lip-shaped purses, tiaras and huge statement necklaces completed the eclectic looks.

From BBC

Pearls dangle at the ends of her pendant earrings, and three separate necklaces—studded, we think, with emeralds—draw the eye to her creamy neck.

From The Wall Street Journal

After her program, she clutched the necklaces on her burgundy lace dress and knelt at center ice.

From Los Angeles Times

Pauline had told White she previously found one of Jenna's necklaces broken on the ground outside her house.

From BBC

The items included the necklace Dawson gifted Joey for prom, his pilot episode outfit and the cleats he wore on “Varsity Blues.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• choker
• jewelry
• pendant
• strand