choker

choker — noun

1. a short necklace or decorative band made of cloth, metal, beads, or other materi

1.nounB1
Definition

a short necklace or decorative band made of cloth, metal, beads, or other material that fits snugly around a person's neck — for example, a black velvet band worn at a party, or a string of pearls sitting just above the collarbone.

Example

Leila wore a black velvet choker with a small silver pendant to the party.

collocation: velvet choker / pearl choker / leather choker

The vintage shop on Elm Street had a display of pearl chokers from the 1920s.

vintage + choker: historical fashion context

Common collocations
  • black velvet choker
  • pearl choker
  • leather choker
  • wear a choker
  • lace choker
Synonyms
  • necklace

    general term for any jewellery worn around the neck; a choker is a specific tight-fitting type

  • band

    a strip of material, broader and usually plainer than a typical necklace

  • collar

    refers to the part of a garment that goes around the neck, not to separate jewellery

Grammar Patterns

wear + a/an + [material] + choker

Usage Note

A choker is defined by its close fit — a loose necklace worn high on the neck is not a choker. You can describe the material (velvet choker, pearl choker, leather choker) or the style (lace choker, tattoo choker).

Common Mistakes

She wore a gold choker that hung down to her chest.
She wore a gold choker that fit snugly around her neck.
A choker must fit closely; it cannot hang loosely.
He buttoned the top choker of his shirt.
He buttoned the top button of his shirt.
Choker is a piece of jewellery or a decorative band, not a shirt part.

Word family

  • choke
    verbB1
  • choking
    adjectiveB2
  • choked
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Necklace is the broadest term for any decorative item worn around the neck — it ranges from long pendants to tight chokers. A choker is a specific subtype of necklace defined by its snug fit against the throat. Collar usually refers to the part of a shirt, jacket, or dress that encircles the neck; it is clothing, not jewellery, though a 'dog collar' style choker borrows the name from its tight band-like shape. Band is the most general term for a strip of material and can describe a simple leather or metal choker with no pendant, but it is also used for wristbands, headbands, and other non-neck items. In fashion contexts, 'choker' is the precise word for a close-fitting neck accessory, while 'necklace' would be too vague and 'band' too broad.

necklace ↗collar ↗band ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • wear a choker
  • a choker made of

Prepositions

  • around the neck
  • with a pendant
  • made of velvet

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

Choker comes from the verb choke (from Old English ācēocian, meaning to suffocate) plus the suffix -er meaning 'a thing that does X'. The jewellery sense appeared in the early 1800s, describing necklaces worn so tight they looked as though they might choke the wearer. The word later extended to any close-fitting neckband, regardless of how tight it actually is.