polo necks

Meanings

1. 1nounpluralBritish

   Sweaters with a high collar that folds down over the neck.

   Grammar: This is the plural of 'polo neck'; use it with plural verbs and words like 'two', 'several' or 'these'.

   Patterns

   • wear polo necks
   • a pair of polo necks
   • polo necks in black

   She packed three polo necks for the trip because the evenings were cold.

   Polo necks are back in fashion this winter, especially in dark colors.

   He bought two polo necks and a wool scarf at the market.

2. 2nounpluralBritish

   The high folded collars of this type of sweater, seen as a style.

   Grammar: Used when talking about the collars themselves rather than the whole garment, often after 'with' or 'in'.

   Patterns

   • with polo necks
   • in polo necks

   The shop window showed mannequins in polo necks and long coats.

   She likes jumpers with polo necks because they keep her throat warm.

Word forms

Common combinations

a polo neck sweater

He wore a polo neck sweater under his jacket.

wear a polo neck

I always wear a polo neck when it snows.

a black polo neck

The actor turned up in jeans and a black polo neck.

a wool polo neck

A wool polo neck is too warm for spring.

polo neck jumper

She knitted him a polo neck jumper for his birthday.

Synonyms and how they differ

turtleneck

The usual American word for the same garment; British speakers understand it but normally say 'polo neck'.

roll neck

Very close in meaning, though some British shops use 'roll neck' for a looser, softer collar that does not fold tightly.

Word family

polo shirt noun

A short-sleeved cotton shirt with a small collar and a few buttons, not a sweater.

Commonly confused: polo necks or polo shirt?

Practice

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