décolleté

1 of 2

adjective

dé·​col·​le·​té (ˌ)dā-ˌkäl-ˈtā How to pronounce décolleté (audio)
-ˌkȯl-,
-lə-ˈtā;
 also  dā-ˈkȯl-tā
1
: wearing a strapless or low-necked dress
décolleté young women
2
: having a low-cut neckline
a décolleté dress

décolleté

2 of 2

noun

variants or less commonly decollete

Examples of décolleté in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Adjective
Cut off the shoulder with decollete necklines, this gown will never go out of style! Michael Lee Simpson, Peoplemag, 13 Aug. 2023
Noun
The robe whispers romance in the way the collar effortlessly falls over the decollete, and the hem gently graces the top of the knee. Belle Duchene, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Nov. 2022 Cut off the shoulder with decollete necklines, this gown will never go out of style! Michael Lee Simpson, Peoplemag, 13 Aug. 2023 To visibly improve the texture of this delicate skin, this cream has a unique, patented complex that helps reduce crepiness, smoothing the appearance of the neck and decollete, explains Dr. Engelman. Health.com, 20 Apr. 2022 Along with minimizing wrinkles on their face, neck, and decollete, the cream works well for fading dark stretch marks, shoppers say. Stephanie Perry, Southern Living, 21 June 2021 The bodice had an off-the-shoulder decollete, while the shoulder-length puffed sleeves were of silk marquisette. Sue Strachan, NOLA.com, 22 Feb. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

French, from past participle of décolleter to give a low neckline to, from dé- de- + collet collar, from Old French colet, from col collar, neck, from Latin collum neck

First Known Use

Adjective

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of décolleté was in 1831

Dictionary Entries Near décolleté

Cite this Entry

“Décolleté.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/d%C3%A9collet%C3%A9. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!