What does necklace mean?
A necklace is an ornamental band, chain, or string worn around the neck, commonly made from gold, silver, gemstones, pearls, beads, or other decorative materials. In everyday use, the term often suggests jewelry intended for display, whether delicate and personal or elaborate and ceremonial. It can also function more broadly to refer to a necklace-like ornament or a string of objects arranged around the neck. The word is used with articles and possessives to indicate an individual item, while the regular plural is necklaces. Common phrases such as gold necklace, necklace of pearls, and diamond necklace show that its meaning depends on both the material and the kind of ornament intended. Although a necklace and a necktie may both be associated with formal dress, a necklace is jewelry rather than a component of clothing. The word is fully natural in both British and American English and is appropriate in descriptions of fashion, art, history, ceremony, and everyday adornment.
nounAn ornamental band, chain, or string of beads worn around the neck. It may be made of precious metal, gemstones, pearls, beads, or other decorative materials.
- An ornamental chain, band, or string of beads worn around the neck.
"She wore a delicate gold necklace with a single sapphire pendant."
"Her necklace matched the silver embroidery on her dress."
"The museum displayed an ancient necklace made from gold and colored stones."
Use necklaces for multiple examples of the ornament, as in antique necklaces or diamond necklaces.
"The shop displays necklaces made from recycled gold and silver."
A necklace literally begins with a neck and a lace: its name describes the cord once used to fasten and adorn the neckline.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does necklace come from?
The word was formed in late Middle English from neck and lace. In this compound, lace had an older sense of a cord, band, or string, ultimately coming through Old French from Latin laqueus. Several related English words, including lace, lacet, and latchet, preserve that same Latin-derived tradition.
How necklace is actually used
The word is general and countable, covering everything from simple beaded strings to elaborate jewelry. It has no significant regional distinction in standard British or American English.
Easily confused with necklace
A necklace is decorative jewelry worn around the neck, whereas a necktie is a strip of fabric knotted or tied around a collar.
A necklace is an ornamental item worn over or around the neckline, while a collar is part of a garment encircling the neck.