décolleté

or de·colle·te

[ dey-kol-tey, -kol-uh-, dek-uh-luh-; French dey-kawl-tey ]

adjective

1. (of a garment) low-necked.
2. wearing a low-necked garment.

décolleté

/ deɪˈkɒlteɪ; dekɔlte /

adjective

1. (of a woman's garment) low-cut
2. wearing a low-cut garment

noun

1. a low-cut neckline

Word History and Origins

Origin of décolleté¹

1825–35; < French: past participle of décolleter to bare the neck, equivalent to dé- de- + collet collar ( -et ) + -er infinitive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of décolleté¹

C19: from French décolleter to cut out the neck (of a dress), from collet collar

Example Sentences

With an embellished floral cape and daring décolleté, Lopez marveled — and occasionally shimmied— from the Saab front row as vibrant beats accompanied the shimmering ode to Marrakech.

From Seattle Times

Also, the men who created “South Park” turned up on the red carpet dressed in their own fetching approximations of the daring green decollete and prom-dress-pink gowns that Jennifer Lopez and Gwyneth Paltrow wore to the Oscars the year before.

From Los Angeles Times

“Little jokes about not wearing a décolleté, makeup or a skirt,” she recalled.

From New York Times

Further along in the Impressionist collections, an alcove dedicated to graphic arts shows Saint Laurent’s sketches of clothing designs and pictures of YSL’s loyal clients, such as Hélène Rochas, wife of the designer Marcel Rochas, in a black velvet gown with a décolleté of cattleya orchids in white satin.

From New York Times

"They can go in the cheeks, nasolabial folds, jawline, marionette lines, décolleté, arms, thighs, knees or abdomen," said the doctor.

From Fox News