polo neck

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableBritish

   A sweater or top with a high, close-fitting collar that folds over and covers most of the neck.

   Grammar: Often shortened to just polo neck: she wore a black polo neck.

   Patterns

   • a polo neck sweater

   He wore a grey polo neck under his jacket.

   A polo neck keeps you warm on windy days.

   She bought a cream wool polo neck in the sale.

2. 2nouncountableBritish

   The high folded collar itself, found on such a garment.

   Grammar: Used about the collar part: a sweater with a polo neck.

   Patterns

   • with a polo neck

   The dress has a soft polo neck and long sleeves.

   I prefer a loose polo neck because tight ones feel hot.

   A wide polo neck can look elegant on a long jumper.

Word forms

Common combinations

wear a polo neck

He always wears a polo neck in winter.

black polo neck

A black polo neck goes with almost anything.

wool polo neck

I knitted a wool polo neck for my brother.

polo neck sweater

Her polo neck sweater was bright red.

Synonyms and how they differ

turtleneck

Turtleneck means the same garment but is the usual American term, while polo neck sounds British.

roll neck

Roll neck is another British word, and it stresses the rolled-over folded collar.

mock neck

A mock neck has a short, standing collar that does not fold over, so it is not quite a full polo neck.

Opposites

Word family

polo shirt noun

a short-sleeved shirt with a small collar and buttons

neckline noun

the shape of a garment's edge at the neck

turtleneck noun

the American equivalent

Commonly confused: polo neck or polo shirt?

Practice

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