necklace
NEHK-lihs
Necklace (noun) means a piece of jewelry worn around the neck, often made of metal, beads, or gems. Example: “She wore a pearl necklace to the wedding.”
noun
1
A piece of jewelry worn around the neck, often made of metal, beads, or gems.
"She wore a pearl necklace to the wedding."
"He bought his mother a silver necklace for her birthday."
"The little girl threaded colourful beads onto string to make a necklace."
verb
1
To kill by placing a burning, fuel-soaked tyre around a victim's neck (a form of mob violence).
"The mob threatened to necklace the informant."
How to use necklace
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly, jewelry worn around the neck; also a brutal form of extrajudicial killing in some conflicts.
Common pairings
pearl necklace
diamond necklace
wear a necklace
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Word forms
- Plural
- necklaces
- Third person singular
- necklaces
- Past tense
- necklaced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She wore a pearl _____ to the wedding.
Etymology
From neck + lace.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for necklace
See all rhymes for necklace →Frequently asked questions
What does “necklace” mean?
The word “necklace” means a piece of jewelry worn around the neck, often made of metal, beads, or gems. In plain terms, most commonly, jewelry worn around the neck; also a brutal form of extrajudicial killing in some conflicts.
How do you pronounce “necklace”?
“Necklace” is pronounced NEHK-lihs (/ˈnɛkləs/ in IPA).
How do you use “necklace” in a sentence?
Here is “necklace” used in a sentence: “She wore a pearl necklace to the wedding.”
What part of speech is “necklace”?
Depending on how it is used, “necklace” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “necklace” a common word?
“Necklace” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “necklace” have?
“Necklace” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a piece of jewelry worn around the neck, often made of metal, beads, or gems.
What is the difference between a necklace and a pendant?
A necklace is the full piece of jewelry worn around the neck, often made of metal, beads, or gems, while a pendant is typically just the hanging ornament attached to a necklace's chain or cord. A pendant is a component that can be part of a necklace, not a complete piece on its own.
Why does 'necklace' also refer to a form of violence?
Necklace has a distinct, unrelated second meaning as a verb: to kill by placing a burning, fuel-soaked tyre around a victim's neck, a form of mob violence. This usage is entirely separate from the jewelry meaning and carries a very different, serious tone.
Can 'necklace' be used as a verb?
Yes, though only in its violent sense, meaning to kill someone by placing a burning, fuel-soaked tyre around their neck. In the jewelry sense, necklace functions only as a noun.
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