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

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

The staff, for one, will don uniforms with a double-breasted peak lapel and dripping in blues and white piping. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2025

To coordinate with her wife, Betts wore a sleek suit, featuring tapered trousers, a velvet, single-breasted blazer with sharp lapels coordinated with a pair of black sunglasses. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025

Blanco, 37, opted for a classic black suit with satin lapels and a black button-down shirt underneath. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 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