lapel

noun

la·​pel lə-ˈpel 

: the part of a garment that is turned back

specifically : the fold of the front of a coat that is usually a continuation of the collar

lapelled adjective

or lapeled

lə-ˈpeld 

Examples of lapel in a Sentence

He wore a carnation in his lapel.

Recent Examples on the Web

The royal’s double-breasted wool coat featured two parallel buttons on the front, with a wide collar and lapels with soft edges creating a dimensional element. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 14 Nov. 2025

The Dune actor wore an oversized white wool coat with a tie-waist and rounded lapels, her collar elegantly popped. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 13 Nov. 2025

Kate wore a black Alessandra Rich dress with a white collar and white lace detailing, adorning it with a red poppy flower in her lapel and a cross necklace. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025

Tommy shows up looking slick with the go-to Julius Caesar haircut, his wide collar open over wider lapels, with a Kim Novak look-alike walking alongside. —Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

diminutive of lap entry 1

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lapel

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel

Kids Definition

lapel

noun

la·​pel lə-ˈpel 

: the fold of the front of a coat that is usually a part of the collar