storm collar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Specialized
Quick answer
What does “storm collar” mean?
A part of a jacket or coat designed to protect the neck from wind, rain, or snow. It is typically a high, close-fitting, and often adjustable collar.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A part of a jacket or coat designed to protect the neck from wind, rain, or snow. It is typically a high, close-fitting, and often adjustable collar.
In technical contexts (e.g., construction, HVAC), it can refer to a raised, waterproof collar or flange around a pipe, vent, or chimney where it penetrates a roof, designed to prevent water ingress during storms.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term identically in its core meanings. The clothing sense might be slightly more common in the UK due to terminology for traditional outdoor wear.
Connotations
Practicality, protection, and specialist design. No significant emotional or cultural connotation differences.
Frequency
Rare in general discourse. Used by specialists (outdoor clothing manufacturers, roofers, builders).
Grammar
How to Use “storm collar” in a Sentence
The [garment] has/had/features a storm collar.The [pipe/flue] is sealed with a storm collar.She turned up/fastened the storm collar.a storm collar on/of [noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “storm collar” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He storm-collared his jacket against the gale. (very rare, potential nonce usage)
American English
- The design effectively storm-collars the neck. (very rare, potential nonce usage)
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial use]
American English
- [No standard adverbial use]
adjective
British English
- The storm-collar feature is essential for hillwalking. (attributive noun use)
American English
- Look for a storm-collar design in winter coats. (attributive noun use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in product descriptions for outdoor apparel or building materials.
Academic
Rare; might appear in texts on textile engineering, functional clothing design, or building physics.
Everyday
Very rare. A speaker might point out the feature on a coat.
Technical
Standard term in technical manuals for waterproof outdoor clothing and roofing/plumbing systems.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “storm collar”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “storm collar”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “storm collar”
- Using 'storm collar' to refer to any thick or warm collar (it must imply specific weather protection).
- Confusing it with a 'hood' or a 'scarf'.
- Assuming it's a common term in general English.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A hood covers the head, while a storm collar is a high, fitted collar that protects the neck and lower face. They can be used together.
Not accurately. A storm collar specifically implies a design feature for weather protection, often with adjustments (zips, buttons, drawstrings) to seal it. A decorative fur collar, for example, is not a storm collar.
No. It is a specialist term used by people interested in technical outdoor clothing (e.g., for hiking, sailing) or in the building trades (roofing, plumbing). The average person might not know it.
No, 'storm collar' is only standard as a compound noun. Any use as a verb ('to storm-collar') is highly non-standard and would be understood only from context.
A part of a jacket or coat designed to protect the neck from wind, rain, or snow. It is typically a high, close-fitting, and often adjustable collar.
Storm collar is usually technical/specialized in register.
Storm collar: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɔːm ˌkɒl.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɔːrm ˌkɑː.lɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a collar that 'weathers the storm' – it's your neck's first line of defence against bad weather.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS A BARRIER / SHELTER. The collar acts as a sheltered, fortified rim.
Practice
Quiz
In a construction context, a 'storm collar' is most likely used to: