locket: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral, slightly literary/descriptive.
Quick answer
What does “locket” mean?
A small, decorative pendant, typically made of metal and worn on a chain around the neck, that opens to contain a small photograph, lock of hair, or other keepsake.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, decorative pendant, typically made of metal and worn on a chain around the neck, that opens to contain a small photograph, lock of hair, or other keepsake.
Any small, hinged case, often heart-shaped or oval, designed to hold a memento. In historical contexts, could refer to a small compartment for holding relics.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The object is culturally identical in both regions.
Connotations
Same romantic/sentimental connotations in both. May be slightly more associated with Victorian/antique imagery in the UK.
Frequency
Equally common and understood in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “locket” in a Sentence
[Subject] wore a locket.[Subject] opened the locket (to reveal [object]).[Subject] kept [something] in a locket.A locket containing [something].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Might appear in contexts of jewellery retail or auction catalogues.
Academic
Rare. Could appear in historical, literary, or material culture studies discussing personal artefacts.
Everyday
Common in descriptive, personal, or sentimental contexts.
Technical
Rare. A jeweller might discuss the 'hinge' or 'clasp' of a locket.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “locket”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “locket”
- Incorrect: 'She wore a locket necklace.' (Redundant; a locket is a type of necklace pendant.) Correct: 'She wore a locket.' or 'She wore a necklace with a locket.'
- Spelling confusion with 'socket'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost always, yes. While historically it might be attached to a bracelet or pin, in modern usage it is overwhelmingly a pendant on a chain around the neck.
All lockets are pendants, but not all pendants are lockets. A 'locket' specifically refers to a pendant that opens to contain something. A general pendant is a decorative hanging piece that is solid.
While oval, round, and heart shapes are traditional and most common, lockets can technically be made in many shapes (e.g., book, cross, rectangle). The defining feature is the hinged opening, not the shape.
Not exactly. The object has historical associations, but the word is still the standard, modern term for this type of jewellery. It is neutral, not archaic.
A small, decorative pendant, typically made of metal and worn on a chain around the neck, that opens to contain a small photograph, lock of hair, or other keepsake.
Locket is usually neutral, slightly literary/descriptive. in register.
Locket: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɒkɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɑːkɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Keep it close to your heart (conceptual link, not a direct idiom with the word 'locket').”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a LOCK of hair kept in a small POCKET = LOCKET.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LOCKET IS A CONTAINER FOR MEMORIES/THE HEART.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a locket?