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Synonyms

lapel

American  
[luh-pel] / ləˈpɛl /

noun

  1. either of the two parts of a garment folded back on the chest, especially a continuation of a coat collar.

lapel British  
/ ləˈpɛl /

noun

  1. the continuation of the turned or folded back collar on a suit coat, jacket, etc

"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 Word Forms

  • lapelled adjective
  • lapelless adjective

Etymology

Origin of lapel

1780–90; irregular diminutive of lap 1; -le

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.

Its members of parliament have taken to wearing a golden noose-shaped lapel pin.

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2026

Bee devices are worn on the wrist, belt or lapel, and primarily function as an assistant by taking notes, offering reminders and keeping calendars.

From Barron's • Jan. 11, 2026

Someone knelt down and clipped a microphone to her lapel, a few inches from the crucifix that dangled from her neck.

From Slate • Jun. 25, 2025

Director John Dursee would remind me to brush the doughnut crumbs off my lapel and I stayed messy.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2025

Chandresh takes credit only for the white blooms, keeping one pinned to his lapel that he toys with distractedly throughout the service.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.