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

In the glory days of Theranos, Holmes — her big blue eyes and blond hair set to advantage in black turtleneck sweaters — had reeled in powerful backers like Larry Ellison, Rupert Murdoch, Henry Kissinger and George Shultz. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2026

King donned a dark-wash denim dress with a zip-up bodice layered over a tan turtleneck. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2026

The transitional piece can be worn on its own or layered with a turtleneck for chillier fall days. — Melony Forcier, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026

Layer it with a long-sleeve turtleneck top, tights, and ankle boots on chilly days, or pair it with a cap-sleeve shirt and ballet flats when temperatures rise. — Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Aug. 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