button-down

1 of 2

adjective

but·​ton-down ˈbə-tᵊn-ˌdau̇n 

1

a

of a collar : having the ends fastened to the garment with buttons

b of a shirt

(1)

: having a button-down collar

(2)

: having buttons from the collar to the waist

2

or buttoned-down

ˈbə-tᵊn(d)-ˌdau̇n 

: conservatively traditional or conventional

especially : adhering to conventional norms in dress and behavior

button-down businessmen

button-down

2 of 2

noun

: a shirt with a button-down collar

Synonyms of button-down

Adjective

• traditional
• conservative
• orthodox

Examples of button-down in a Sentence

Adjective

a button-down architectural firm would never have the imagination to produce such a cutting-edge design

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Obama managed to stylishly combine black and brown, which is typically considered a fashion faux pas, pairing her striped button-down and gray pleated midiskirt with a brown belt and black slingback heels. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 6 Nov. 2026

Style your black leather jacket over a yellow button-down and cream pants. — Kelsey Stiegman, Glamour, 6 Nov. 2026

Noun

Rocky, meanwhile, wore a red plaid button-down and green vest with his own pair of jeans. — Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 16 Mar. 2023

The button-down top with chest pocket and drawstring shorts are made from 95 percent premium viscose from bamboo, making for an amazingly cozy-meets-cooling feel. — Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1924, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for button-down

• chinatown
• tumbledown
• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown