turtleneck

[ tur-tl-nek ]

noun

1. a high, close-fitting collar, often rolled or turned down, appearing especially on pullover sweaters.
2. a sweater with such a collar.

turtleneck

/ ˈtɜːtəlˌnɛk /

noun

1. 1. a round high close-fitting neck on a sweater or the sweater itself
   2. ( as modifier )

      a turtleneck sweater

Word History and Origins

Origin of turtleneck¹

First recorded in 1905–10; turtle ¹ + neck

Example Sentences

With his Buddy Holly glasses, scruffy boho beard, floppy hair and turtleneck sweater, Adams — who is called the Big Lad — is lazily charismatic, with the precociously paternal air of a cool, or seemingly cool, assistant professor — he calls Dolours, who in real life was only two years younger, “child.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I don’t think I’ve had as busy a year in North America for a very, very long time,” she says in a recent interview, poised and quietly glamorous in an elegant gray turtleneck sweater.

From Los Angeles Times

Kardashian wore a black shoulderless turtleneck and black sneakers; the firefighters wore orange fire-protective jumpsuits with heavy-duty boots.

From Los Angeles Times

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs almost always wore the same outfit – a black St. Croix mock turtleneck sweater, blue Levi's 501 jeans, and New Balance 991 trainers.

From BBC

Denise has this moment where she talks about purchasing a dress for Nicole's wake and funeral and having to ensure that it had a turtleneck because of how badly her neck had been cut.

From Salon

Related Words

• blouse
• jersey
• pullover
• tunic