What does necktie mean?
A necktie is a narrow strip of fabric worn around the neck and knotted, tied, or fastened in front. It is associated especially with formal, business, ceremonial, and professional clothing, although the exact standards vary by culture and workplace. A necktie may be made from silk, polyester, cotton, or other materials, and it can be worn with a suit, a formal shirt, or a tuxedo. The word is a compound formed from neck and tie, with its modern use developing during the 19th century as neckwear became an established part of male formal dress. Although tie is the everyday word for the accessory, necktie is more explicit and useful when distinguishing it from scarves, bows, or other items worn around the neck. It is also commonly used in figurative expressions involving professional appearance, authority, or conventional style.
nounA long, narrow band of fabric worn around the neck, typically knotted or tied in front. It is usually worn with formal or professional clothing.
- A band of fabric worn around the neck, usually knotted at the front as part of formal or professional dress.
"He adjusted his necktie before the interview."
"The groom wore a dark blue necktie to the wedding."
"Her boss expects employees to wear a necktie to formal meetings."
The regular plural is neckties.
"The shop sells silk neckties and bow ties."
The necktie is one of the few everyday accessories with a name that describes exactly what it does: it ties around the neck.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does necktie come from?
The word necktie is a transparent English compound of neck and tie. Its modern sense developed in the 19th century, when neckwear worn around a collar and knotted in front became a regular feature of formal menswear. The related term tie is also a shortened form and has become the usual word in many everyday contexts. The English compound reflects a broader European history of decorative neckwear, which includes related forms such as the cravat, although the necktie itself is English in its immediate formation.
Related word forms
How necktie is actually used
The term is standard in both British and American English. In contemporary usage, neckties are more common in business, ceremonial, and formal contexts, while everyday workplace dress is often less formal. A necktie is also called a tie, especially in more general contexts.
Easily confused with necktie
A necktie is a specific kind of neckwear worn around the neck, while a tie is the broader word for any item of neckwear, including a necktie.