cowlneck: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Fashion, descriptive, semi-technical
Quick answer
What does “cowlneck” mean?
A high, draped, loose-fitting collar on a garment, often made of soft, heavy fabric that folds over itself.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A high, draped, loose-fitting collar on a garment, often made of soft, heavy fabric that folds over itself.
A style of neckline or collar characterized by its loose, draped, and often voluminous appearance, resembling the hood (cowl) of a monk's habit. It can also refer to a garment featuring such a collar.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling is consistent. Usage is identical, though 'cowl neck' as two separate words may be slightly more frequent in AmE fashion writing.
Connotations
Neutral descriptor of a clothing style. Connotes comfort, warmth, and a relaxed, often sophisticated aesthetic.
Frequency
Low frequency in general language, but standard within the domain of fashion and clothing description in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “cowlneck” in a Sentence
[garment] with a cowlnecka cowlneck [garment]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cowlneck” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She chose a cosy, cowlneck jumper for the weekend.
American English
- The designer's latest collection features several cowlneck tops.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in retail, e-commerce, and fashion manufacturing to describe product features.
Academic
Rare; might appear in texts on fashion history or design.
Everyday
Used when discussing clothing, shopping, or personal style.
Technical
Standard term in knitting patterns, sewing instructions, and fashion design.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cowlneck”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cowlneck”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cowlneck”
- Spelling as 'cowl neck' (acceptable variant) or 'cow neck'. Using it as a verb (e.g., 'The dress cowlnecks beautifully').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both 'cowlneck' (closed) and 'cowl neck' (open) are accepted, with the closed form being more common in compound noun usage.
A turtleneck is a close-fitting, high, folded collar. A cowlneck is loose, draped, and voluminous, often made from heavier fabric that falls softly.
Yes, cowlneck sweaters and tops are worn by all genders, though they are perhaps more frequently marketed and seen in women's fashion.
Heavy, drapey fabrics like wool, cashmere, thick cotton knits, and jersey are ideal as they hold the folded shape well.
A high, draped, loose-fitting collar on a garment, often made of soft, heavy fabric that folds over itself.
Cowlneck is usually fashion, descriptive, semi-technical in register.
Cowlneck: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkaʊlnɛk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkaʊlˌnɛk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a monk's COWL (hood) around the NECK of a sweater.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLOTHING IS ARCHITECTURE (a draped, structured form).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'cowlneck' primarily associated with?