lapel

[ luh-pel ]

noun

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

lapel

/ ləˈpɛl /

noun

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

Derived Forms

• laˈpelled, adjective

Other Words From

• la·pelled adjective
• la·pelless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lapel¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of lapel¹

C18: from lap ¹

Example Sentences

Their teacher, Kim Jong-sook, 58, gathered the children for pictures with Im, who wore raised brogues and a rosebud on the lapel of his suit and beamed and patted their heads.

From Los Angeles Times

Most people tend to pin one on a coat lapel.

From BBC

They will set up his locker at Tottenham this weekend, just as they do for every game, and players and coaches will continue to wear helmet stickers and lapel pins bearing his initials.

From BBC

During President Obama’s first White House run, he decided to stop wearing a flag pin on his lapel as a gentle protest against the Iraq invasion.

From Los Angeles Times

Nevertheless, Republican members of Congress paraded around Washington last year with lapel pins bearing the weapon’s silhouette, handed out by a congressman who owned a gun shop.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• pleat