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
Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 29 Apr. 2024
The button-down oxford-cloth shirt is their native tongue; the yellow dress tie, their inheritance.
—David Coggins, Robb Report, 27 Apr. 2024
Complete with a relaxed button-down shirt and drawstring shorts, this set is going to be a great addition to my wardrobe for its seemingly endless mix-and-match options.
—Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2024
The couple later changed into botanical button-down shirts, also by Loewe, printed with artwork from Erwan Frotin.
—Jessica Testa, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2024
Lululemon Lululemon’s Mother’s Day curation includes leggings, tops, jackets, tennis skirts, bags, jumpsuits, and even a blazer and button-down shirt.
—Phoebe Sklansky, Parents, 26 Apr. 2024
Choose business attire like a button-down shirt or blouse with dress pants or a skirt, avoiding loud patterns or distracting accessories.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 26 Apr. 2024
See him here in the aforementioned Collina Strada cargo pants paired with a crisp white button-down shirt.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 25 Apr. 2024
The Pirates of the Caribbean actor opted for a classic black tux and white button-down shirt.
—Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 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
Her cropped top had a button-down silhouette with tan and white pinstripes and a tie knot at the center.
—Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 29 Apr. 2024
The button-down oxford-cloth shirt is their native tongue; the yellow dress tie, their inheritance.
—David Coggins, Robb Report, 27 Apr. 2024
Complete with a relaxed button-down shirt and drawstring shorts, this set is going to be a great addition to my wardrobe for its seemingly endless mix-and-match options.
—Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2024
The couple later changed into botanical button-down shirts, also by Loewe, printed with artwork from Erwan Frotin.
—Jessica Testa, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2024
Lululemon Lululemon’s Mother’s Day curation includes leggings, tops, jackets, tennis skirts, bags, jumpsuits, and even a blazer and button-down shirt.
—Phoebe Sklansky, Parents, 26 Apr. 2024
Choose business attire like a button-down shirt or blouse with dress pants or a skirt, avoiding loud patterns or distracting accessories.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 26 Apr. 2024
See him here in the aforementioned Collina Strada cargo pants paired with a crisp white button-down shirt.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 25 Apr. 2024
The Pirates of the Caribbean actor opted for a classic black tux and white button-down shirt.
—Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 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 3 May. 2024.
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