but·ton-down
ˈbə-tᵊn-ˌdau̇n 
1
a
of a collar
: having the ends fastened to the garment with buttons
b
of a shirt
(1)
: having a button-down collar
(2)
: having buttons from the collar to the waist
2
or
: conservatively traditional or conventional
especially
: adhering to conventional norms in dress and behavior
button-down businessmen
: a shirt with a button-down collar
Synonyms
Examples of button-down in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
Your wear-everywhere pants and jeans!) as well as the shorts (with that button-down!
—Kayla Becker, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2024
It can be worn in an array of ways like a loose button-down dress.
—Essence, 9 Apr. 2024
Knoll bounced into the room wearing a blue button-down with a pattern as busy as a Magic Eye poster.
—Casey Parks, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024
This button-down top is currently available in three shades (traditional denim, black, and cream), but all are versatile and endlessly cool when paired with a matching bottom, flowy skirt, or trousers.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2024
Combine With Bleached Denim for Off-Duty The sandy color and oversized fit of The Row’s barn jacket paired with a pale pink button-down and bleached jeans, finished off with burgundy velvet slippers, gives effortless ease.
—Sarah Zendejas, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
During their egg-citing family festivities, the fivesome posed for a holiday picture together, with Tristan and big brother Brayden wearing matching shark button-down shirts and blue bowties.
—Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
Her look consisted of a strapless dress with a flared hemline and an extra cropped collared button-down.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 28 Mar. 2024
Hannah Oh, Seventeen, 17 Mar. 2023
The button-down top with chest pocket and drawstring shorts are made from 95 percent premium viscose from bamboo, making for an amazingly cozy-meets-cooling feel.
—Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2023
Rocky, meanwhile, wore a red plaid button-down and green vest with his own pair of jeans.
—Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 16 Mar. 2023
Brody wore a teal suit by Paul Smith, a light blue speckled button-down, a dark blue tie, and black leather dress shoes.
—Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Mar. 2023
This sleeveless button-down would look perfectly at home paired with a long flowing skirt at a vineyard in Champagne — or dressed up with a blazer and heels for more formal affairs.
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2023
Though some softer, pastel hues were present, the runway remained largely dominated by chic sunglasses, shimmering black gloves, killer high heels, sharp shoulder pads, tight pencil skirts and sleek, button-down dresses.
—Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2023
Selena opted for a more preppy look, pairing her kicks with loose pants and a sweater layered over a button-down shirt.
—Sabrina Talbert, Women's Health, 9 Mar. 2023
Get colorful for spring with this poppy and pink button-down shirt, alive with butterflies, roses and freehand drawings.
—The Editors, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2023
Adjective
The Pirates of the Caribbean actor opted for a classic black tux and white button-down shirt.
—Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
Your wear-everywhere pants and jeans!) as well as the shorts (with that button-down!
—Kayla Becker, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2024
It can be worn in an array of ways like a loose button-down dress.
—Essence, 9 Apr. 2024
Knoll bounced into the room wearing a blue button-down with a pattern as busy as a Magic Eye poster.
—Casey Parks, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024
This button-down top is currently available in three shades (traditional denim, black, and cream), but all are versatile and endlessly cool when paired with a matching bottom, flowy skirt, or trousers.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2024
Combine With Bleached Denim for Off-Duty The sandy color and oversized fit of The Row’s barn jacket paired with a pale pink button-down and bleached jeans, finished off with burgundy velvet slippers, gives effortless ease.
—Sarah Zendejas, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
During their egg-citing family festivities, the fivesome posed for a holiday picture together, with Tristan and big brother Brayden wearing matching shark button-down shirts and blue bowties.
—Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
Her look consisted of a strapless dress with a flared hemline and an extra cropped collared button-down.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 28 Mar. 2024
Noun
Behold, the dark academia starter pack: a pleated skirt, an argyle sweater, and a button-down shirt.
—Hannah Oh, Seventeen, 17 Mar. 2023
The button-down top with chest pocket and drawstring shorts are made from 95 percent premium viscose from bamboo, making for an amazingly cozy-meets-cooling feel.
—Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2023
Rocky, meanwhile, wore a red plaid button-down and green vest with his own pair of jeans.
—Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 16 Mar. 2023
Brody wore a teal suit by Paul Smith, a light blue speckled button-down, a dark blue tie, and black leather dress shoes.
—Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Mar. 2023
This sleeveless button-down would look perfectly at home paired with a long flowing skirt at a vineyard in Champagne — or dressed up with a blazer and heels for more formal affairs.
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2023
Though some softer, pastel hues were present, the runway remained largely dominated by chic sunglasses, shimmering black gloves, killer high heels, sharp shoulder pads, tight pencil skirts and sleek, button-down dresses.
—Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2023
Selena opted for a more preppy look, pairing her kicks with loose pants and a sweater layered over a button-down shirt.
—Sabrina Talbert, Women's Health, 9 Mar. 2023
Get colorful for spring with this poppy and pink button-down shirt, alive with butterflies, roses and freehand drawings.
—The Editors, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'button-down.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near button-down
Cite this Entry
“Button-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/button-down. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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