collared shirts

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   Shirts that have a band of fabric around the neck, usually worn for work or formal occasions.

   Grammar: Always plural in this form; use 'a collared shirt' for one item.

   Patterns

   • wear collared shirts
   • a collared shirt and tie

   The dress code says employees must wear collared shirts.

   He packed three collared shirts for the business trip.

   Collared shirts look neater than T-shirts in most offices.

2. 2nouncountable

   A style of shirt with a folded collar, often made of cotton or linen, worn casually or formally.

   Grammar: Countable when referring to individual items; the plural is 'collared shirts'.

   Patterns

   • buy collared shirts
   • a rack of collared shirts

   She prefers collared shirts because they frame the face nicely.

   The store sells collared shirts in many colors.

   He ironed his collared shirts before the interview.

Word forms

Common combinations

wear a collared shirt

You should wear a collared shirt to the meeting.

button-down collared shirt

He bought a button-down collared shirt for the wedding.

crisp collared shirt

She looked professional in a crisp collared shirt.

collared shirt and tie

The uniform includes a collared shirt and tie.

short-sleeved collared shirt

In summer, a short-sleeved collared shirt is comfortable.

Synonyms and how they differ

dress shirt

A dress shirt is a more formal collared shirt, often worn with a suit or tie.

button-down

A button-down is a type of collared shirt with buttons on the collar points; it is more specific.

polo shirt

A polo shirt has a collar but is usually knit and casual, not a woven collared shirt.

Opposites

Word family

collar noun

The band of fabric around the neck of a shirt.

collarless adjective

Without a collar, as in a collarless shirt.

Commonly confused: collared shirts or collard shirts?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “collared shirts”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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