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turtleneck collar

turtleneck collar

2.4
A high close collar that covers most of the neck on a sweater or shirt
  • noun
  • /ˈtɜrtəlˌnɛk ˈkɒlər/
translation icon : cuello alto
  • I added the ruched thick waistband and turned it into a turtleneck collar and added even more gathers.

Examples

  • She was in a tight all-black pantsuit with a turtleneck collar.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • The fashion designer showcased a dress featuring a stylish turtleneck collar at the runway show.

  • He wore a sweater with a warm turtleneck collar to keep his neck cozy during the winter.

  • To enhance her outfit, she chose a blouse that had a fitted turtleneck collar for elegance.

Synonyms

polo-neck collar
vsturtleneck collar
  • UK
3.4

A high, close-fitting part of a shirt or sweater that folds over and covers the neck

is the turned over collar that covers most of the neck
mock turtleneck collar
vsturtleneck collar
  • US
5.5

A high collar that stands up and is sewn to the top edge of the shirt

folds over to cover most of the neck rather than being sewn
mock polo neck collar
vsturtleneck collar
  • UK
7.6

A short soft collar that stands up around the neck and is sewn to the top

is the true turned over collar that folds fully around the neck

How High

turtleneck collar
2.4
collarless
1 3.5

Surface Forms

Morphology

turtleneck + collar

The meaning is directly and compositionally derived from 'turtleneck' (a high, snug collar or sweater) plus 'collar' (the band around a neckline); there is no idiomatic shift. This is a straightforward descriptive noun–noun combination found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand it.

Etymology

Turtleneck collar comes from the way the high, folded collar looks like a turtle's neck coming out of its shell. That's why today turtleneck collar means a high, close-fitting collar that 'keeps the neck warm'.