noun
cravat
kruh-VAT
Cravat (noun) means a band of fabric worn around the neck, tied at the front, as an old-fashioned or formal alternative to a necktie. Example: “He wore a silk cravat with his tuxedo for the gala.”
noun
1
A band of fabric worn around the neck, tied at the front, as an old-fashioned or formal alternative to a necktie.
"He wore a silk cravat with his tuxedo for the gala."
2
A triangular bandage folded into a strip, used to support an injured arm or dress a wound.
"The first-aider used a cravat bandage to support her sprained wrist."
How to use cravat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA decorative neck scarf tied like an old-style tie, or a triangular first-aid bandage.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
silk cravat
tie a cravat
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Word forms
- Plural
- cravats
- Third person singular
- cravats
- Past tense
- cravatted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He wore a silk _____ with his tuxedo for the gala.
Etymology
From French cravate, originally referring to a Croat (Croatian) mercenary — Croatian soldiers in 17th-century France wore a distinctive neck scarf that French fashion later copied and named after them.
Class of 1600
cravat joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Frequently asked questions
What does “cravat” mean?
The word “cravat” means a band of fabric worn around the neck, tied at the front, as an old-fashioned or formal alternative to a necktie. In plain terms, a decorative neck scarf tied like an old-style tie, or a triangular first-aid bandage.
How do you pronounce “cravat”?
“Cravat” is pronounced kruh-VAT (/kɹəˈvæt/ in IPA).
How do you use “cravat” in a sentence?
Here is “cravat” used in a sentence: “He wore a silk cravat with his tuxedo for the gala.”
What part of speech is “cravat”?
“Cravat” is a noun.
Where does the word “cravat” come from?
The word “cravat” dates back to around 1600 and comes from French. From French cravate, originally referring to a Croat (Croatian) mercenary — Croatian soldiers in 17th-century France wore a distinctive neck scarf that French fashion later copied and named after them.
How many meanings does “cravat” have?
“Cravat” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a band of fabric worn around the neck, tied at the front, as an old-fashioned or formal alternative to a necktie.
