turtleneck

noun

tur·​tle·​neck ˈtər-tᵊl-ˌnek 

1

: a high close-fitting turnover collar used especially for sweaters

2

: a garment (such as a sweater) with a turtleneck

turtlenecked

ˈtər-tᵊl-ˌnekt 

adjective

Examples of turtleneck in a Sentence

She wore a turtleneck under her jacket.

Recent Examples on the Web

This graphic turtleneck from Sui pulses beneath a slate overcoat, turning an otherwise sensible layer into something lively and offbeat. —Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 21 Feb. 2026

And that no one will ever figure out how to wear a turtleneck that way again? —Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026

The ultra-chic crewneck sweater has a slightly oversized fit that’s perfect for cozying up on a long-haul flight and or layering with a turtleneck on bitterly cold winter days. —Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 17 Feb. 2026

Yet, ironically, those visual flourishes — the plaid of a sportscoat, the myriad orange folds of a 1973 turtleneck — often prove more compelling than the drama itself. —Ben Croll, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing turtleneck

• mock turtleneck

Rhymes for turtleneck

• biotech
• bottleneck
• quarterdeck
• zapotec
• aztec
• breakneck
• codec
• exec
• mixtec
• paycheck
• pinchbeck
• recheck

Kids Definition

turtleneck

noun

tur·​tle·​neck -ˌnek 

1

: a high turned-over collar (as of a sweater)

2

: a garment (as a sweater) with a turtleneck