lapel
B2Neutral
Definition
Meaning
The part of a jacket, coat, or similar garment that is folded back on the chest below the collar, typically forming a continuation of the collar.
The area or feature on a garment that serves as a decorative or functional fold. Can also refer metaphorically to a location (e.g., a microphone pinned to it).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is specific to clothing and tailoring. It implies a formal or semi-formal garment component. Not used for similar flaps on informal or non-tailored items.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or application. Both refer to the same garment part.
Connotations
None specific to either variant.
Frequency
Equal frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[to have] a [adjective] lapel[to pin/attach something] to/on the lapel[to wear something] in/on the lapelthe lapel of [a jacket/coat]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Lapel-grabber (informal, a forceful or aggressive person)”
- “To talk to someone's lapel (to speak very closely and intimately)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Common in descriptions of business attire, e.g., 'He wore a pin on his lapel.'
Academic
Used in historical, fashion, or design studies discussing garment construction.
Everyday
Used when discussing clothing, formal events, or where to place a badge or flower.
Technical
Specific term in tailoring, pattern-making, and fashion design with precise classifications (e.g., notched, peaked, shawl).
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The lapel width is crucial to the suit's silhouette.
American English
- He chose a lapel pin for the ceremony.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He has a red flower on his jacket lapel.
- The tailor asked if I wanted wide or narrow lapels on my new suit.
- The speaker's lapel microphone picked up every word clearly despite the room's noise.
- The notched lapel, a hallmark of single-breasted suits, originated from the lounging jackets of the Victorian era.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a label pinned to the LAPEL of a jacket. The words sound similar, helping you remember where a label might go.
Conceptual Metaphor
The lapel as a site of display or identity (e.g., for badges, pins, flowers showing affiliation, status, or sentiment).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "воротник" (collar). The lapel is specifically the folded part below the collar. The closer Russian equivalent is "лацкан".
Common Mistakes
- Using 'collar' instead of 'lapel'. The collar is the part around the neck; the lapel is the fold below it.
- Pronouncing it /ˈleɪpəl/ (like 'lap' + 'el') instead of /ləˈpel/.
- Spelling as 'laple' or 'lappel'.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'lapel microphone'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is used for both men's and women's tailored jackets, coats, and blazers.
It is a buttonhole, historically for buttoning up the collar in bad weather. Today, it is often decorative, used for holding a flower (boutonnière) or a pin.
Notched lapels have a V-shaped notch where they meet the collar (common on business suits). Peaked lapels point upwards (common on double-breasted suits and tuxedos). Shawl lapels are a continuous, smooth curve (traditional on dinner jackets and smoking jackets).
No, 'lapel' is solely a noun in modern standard English.
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