neckbeard

noun

neck·​beard ˈnek-ˌbird How to pronounce neckbeard (audio)
plural neckbeards
1
: a beard that partially covers the area under the chin and the throat
… a neckbeard colonizing his throat and his jawline …Chuck Wendig
… a hippie troubadour with a neckbeard and a mop of curly hair.Kyle Chayka
2
: someone belonging to a subculture associated with neckbeards: such as
a
sometimes disparaging : a socially awkward gamer or computer nerd
… a bunch of neckbeards keeping to themselves playing video games.Trevier Gonzalez
Programmers have labored too long under the stigma of being neckbeards who can't and shouldn't be allowed to talk to humans.Mike Loukides
b
disparaging : a misogynistic or ultraconservative Internet troll (see troll entry 3 sense 1)
neckbeards who lash out at women from behind the safety of their computer screens.Mary Cusack
c
: hipster
… years ago when craft beer was largely the provenance of neckbeards in dark bars.Dan Gigler
neckbearded adjective

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of neckbeard was in 1844

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Cite this Entry

“Neckbeard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neckbeard. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Entry added
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