neck
NEHK
Neck (noun) means the part of the body connecting the head to the shoulders and trunk. Example: “He wrapped a scarf around his neck.”
noun
1
The part of the body connecting the head to the shoulders and trunk.
"He wrapped a scarf around his neck."
"The giraffe stretched its long neck to reach the highest leaves."
"My neck feels stiff after sleeping in an awkward position."
2
The narrow part of a bottle, near the opening.
"Hold the bottle by the neck when pouring."
"The label was stuck around the neck of the bottle."
"He poured slowly because the neck of the jug was so narrow."
3
The long, narrow part of a stringed instrument that holds the fingerboard.
"She slid her fingers up the guitar's neck."
"The violin's neck was polished smooth by years of playing."
"He gripped the neck of the banjo and strummed a happy tune."
4
A narrow strip of land connecting two larger areas.
"The peninsula is joined to the mainland by a narrow neck of land."
"The village sits on a narrow neck of land between two bays."
"Traffic gets squeezed along the neck of land linking the island to the shore."
verb
1
Informal: to kiss and cuddle passionately.
"They were necking in the back row of the cinema."
"The teenagers were necking behind the school hall when a teacher walked past."
"Nobody wanted to watch the couple necking on the late bus."
How to use neck
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe body part joining head to shoulders, or by extension any narrow connecting part.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
neck and neck
a pain in the neck
stick your neck out
bottleneck
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Word forms
- Plural
- necks
- Third person singular
- necks
- Past tense
- necked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He wrapped a scarf around his _____.
Etymology
From Old English hnecca ("neck, nape"), from a Proto-Germanic root also seen in Dutch nek and German Nacken.
Related words
Rhymes for neck
See all rhymes for neck →Frequently asked questions
What does “neck” mean?
The word “neck” means the part of the body connecting the head to the shoulders and trunk. In plain terms, the body part joining head to shoulders, or by extension any narrow connecting part.
How do you pronounce “neck”?
“Neck” is pronounced NEHK (/ˈnɛk/ in IPA).
How do you use “neck” in a sentence?
Here is “neck” used in a sentence: “He wrapped a scarf around his neck.”
What is another word for “neck”?
Words with a similar meaning to “neck” include cervix and collum.
What part of speech is “neck”?
Depending on how it is used, “neck” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “neck” come from?
The word “neck” comes from Old English. From Old English hnecca ("neck, nape"), from a Proto-Germanic root also seen in Dutch nek and German Nacken.
Is “neck” a common word?
“Neck” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “neck” have?
“Neck” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the part of the body connecting the head to the shoulders and trunk.
What is the difference between the neck and the nape?
The neck is the whole part of the body joining the head to the shoulders and trunk. The nape is one small area of it, the back of the neck just below the hairline. So the nape is part of the neck, specifically its rear surface, not a separate structure.
What is the difference between the neck and the throat?
The neck is the entire column connecting the head and body, front and back. The throat refers mainly to the front and inside of the neck, the passage that carries food and air. You feel a lump in your throat, but you wear a scarf around your neck.
What are the main parts of the neck?
The neck contains the cervical spine, which supports the head, along with muscles, major blood vessels, the windpipe, and the food pipe. On the outside, the front is often called the throat and the back is the nape. Together these let the head move and the body breathe and swallow.
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