What does neckless mean?
“Neckless” is an adjective describing something that has no neck, neck-like section, collar, or neckline. Its most common use is for garments and accessories, especially fashion designs that deliberately omit the fabric or structure normally surrounding the wearer’s neck. In this context, the word suggests a minimalist, unusual, or deliberately unconventional appearance rather than merely referring to a loose collar. It can also describe objects whose form lacks a narrow upper section, such as vessels or sculptural designs. The term is relatively uncommon, so in less specialized writing, “without a neck” or “without a collar” may be clearer depending on the intended meaning. A garment described as neckless is not necessarily the same as one with a low, scoop, or off-the-shoulder neckline: in the former, the neck or neck-like opening is absent altogether. The word is useful in precise descriptions of fashion, design, and physical form.
adjectiveHaving no neck or neck-like part. A neckless garment or object lacks a collar, neckline, or upper neck portion.
- Having no neck or neck-like part; lacking a collar, neckline, or upper neck portion.
"The designer presented a striking neckless evening dress in midnight blue."
"The museum displayed a neckless ceramic vessel with a sharply carved rim."
"She wore a minimalist neckless blouse that emphasized the sculptural lines of her shoulders."
A neckless design removes the part of a garment that people often use to frame the face, making the absence itself a striking visual feature.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
How neckless is actually used
Relatively uncommon and mainly descriptive. It is especially used for clothing and designed objects, and should not be confused with a garment that simply has a low or wide neckline.
Easily confused with neckless
A neckless item has no neck or neck-like section at all, whereas a garment with a low or unusual neckline still has a neckline.
Collared describes something that has or wears a collar, while neckless describes something lacking a neck, collar, or neck-like part.