neckline

American

[nek-lahyn] / ˈnɛkˌlaɪn /

noun

the opening at the neck of a garment, especially of a woman's garment, with reference to its shape or its position on the body.

a V-neckline; a high neckline.

neckline British

/ ˈnɛkˌlaɪn /

noun

the shape or position of the upper edge of a dress, blouse, etc

a plunging neckline

"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

Etymology

Origin of neckline

First recorded in 1900–05; neck + line ¹

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.

Because I knew to look for it, I saw the faint surgical scar peeking above the neckline of the child’s dress.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026

The bustles underpin the distinctive chemise à la reine that was popularized by fashion icon Marie Antoinette, with its cloud of white ruffles around a low neckline, sashed at the waist.

From Slate • Jul. 21, 2025

Gigi Hadid, a Versace favorite, walked the show in a fitted navy midi dress featuring a sheer blouse on a sweetheart neckline.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 23, 2024

One of them was wearing a red top with a white neckline, a light blue face mask, and was carrying a purple bag.

From BBC • Oct. 15, 2023

She was wearing a white dress with two million ruffles and a neckline that was the lowest she’d ever worn...and makeup and high heels and an ostrich feather in her hair.

From "The Pigman" by Paul Zindel

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023