neck
neck — noun
1. The section between a person's or animal's head and shoulders that allows the he
The section between a person's or animal's head and shoulders that allows the head to move left and right.
Minho tied a warm scarf around his neck before going outside.
collocation: around [possessive] neck
A giraffe's long neck helps it reach leaves on very tall trees.
Nora felt a sharp pain in her neck after sleeping on the sofa all night.
The doctor gently pressed on both sides of Tariq's neck to check for swelling.
passive: check for swelling in the neck
Brooke wore a silver chain around her neck that her grandmother had given her.
- stiff neck
- pain in the neck
- break one's neck
- around the neck
- neck pain
- neck injury
- long neck
- short neck
Grammar Patterns
neck + of + body parts (optional)
Common Mistakes
2. The area near the top of a shirt, dress, or sweater that sits on the body below
The area near the top of a shirt, dress, or sweater that sits on the body below the head, including the opening and the fabric bordering it.
Élise chose a dress with a high neck for the formal dinner party.
adjective + neck: high neck / V-neck / round neck
The neck of Paloma's sweater had stretched out after many washes.
Christopher always loosens the top button near his neck after a long day at work.
Indra prefers T-shirts with a round neck rather than a V-neck style.
compounds: round neck / V-neck / crew neck
The shirt smelled of sweat around the collar and the neck area.
- crew neck
- V-neck
- round neck
- turtleneck
- high neck
- boat neck
- scoop neck
Grammar Patterns
[possessive] + neck
neck + of + garment
Usage Note
Often combined with an adjective to describe the shape of the opening (e.g. V-neck, round neck, high neck, boat neck). These compound forms can also act as adjectives: a V-neck sweater.
Common Mistakes
3. The thin, elongated section of an object, such as the tapering top of a bottle o
The thin, elongated section of an object, such as the tapering top of a bottle or the fretboard section of a string instrument.
Mira carefully poured the oil through the narrow neck of the bottle.
preposition: through the neck of
The guitar's neck had become warped after years of use in humid weather.
Aylin watched the sand trickle slowly through the glass neck of the hourglass.
The wine bottle had a long, thin neck that was easy to hold while pouring.
Dylan pressed his fingers down on the strings along the ukulele's neck.
compound: instrument + 's + neck (guitar neck, ukulele neck)
- bottle neck
- guitar neck
- narrow neck
- long neck
- broken neck
- neck of a bottle
- neck of a violin
- opening
a more general term for the top of a container; less specific to the narrow shape
- fretted part
specific to instruments; refers to the section of the neck with frets
Grammar Patterns
neck + of + [object]
Usage Note
This sense is most common with bottles ('bottleneck') and string instruments ('guitar neck', 'violin neck'). The word 'bottleneck' is also used metaphorically to mean a point of congestion or delay (e.g. a traffic bottleneck).
Common Mistakes
4. The constricted area of an anatomical structure, for instance where a tooth's cr
The constricted area of an anatomical structure, for instance where a tooth's crown meets its root, or the lower narrow section of the uterus (cervix).
The dentist checked the neck of Minh's tooth for decay near the gum line.
compound: neck of the tooth
A fracture in the neck of the femur requires surgery to repair the bone.
Shirin's doctor said the neck of the womb, called the cervix, changes during pregnancy.
formal term: cervix = neck of the womb
The X-ray showed a problem in the neck of the patient's shoulder blade.
- neck of the femur
- neck of the womb
- neck of the tooth
- neck of the bladder
- surgical neck
- anatomical neck
- cervix
the Latin-derived medical term, used specifically for the neck of the womb or other organs
- constriction
a general term for a narrowed part; less precise and rarely used in anatomy
Grammar Patterns
neck + of + [body part]
Usage Note
Primarily a medical or anatomical term. Most often encountered in phrases like 'neck of the femur' (hip bone), 'neck of the tooth' (where crown meets root), or 'neck of the womb' (cervix). Not used in everyday conversation.
5. A narrow piece of land connecting two larger land areas, or a long narrow strip
A narrow piece of land connecting two larger land areas, or a long narrow strip of land that sticks out into water, such as a peninsula or isthmus.
A narrow neck of land connects the main island to the smaller one.
pattern: neck of land
The old lighthouse stood at the end of a rocky neck stretching into the sea.
Fishermen built their huts along the sandy neck between the lagoon and the ocean.
Hari walked across the narrow neck to reach the beach on the far side.
- neck of land
- narrow neck
- rocky neck
- sandy neck
Grammar Patterns
neck + of + land
neck of land
Usage Note
Found mainly in geography texts and travel writing. More commonly replaced by specific terms like 'isthmus' (for a connection between larger land masses) or 'peninsula' (for a strip sticking into water).
6. An edible cut of meat taken from the neck section of livestock such as cows, pig
An edible cut of meat taken from the neck section of livestock such as cows, pigs, or sheep, often cooked for a long time to make it soft.
Minho slow-cooked the lamb neck until the meat fell off the bone.
collocation: lamb neck / beef neck / pork neck
The restaurant's signature dish is braised pork neck with garlic and rosemary.
Amelia bought beef neck from the market to make a rich stew.
Lamb neck is an inexpensive cut that becomes very flavourful when cooked slowly.
grammar: uncountable use — 'neck' as a meat type
- lamb neck
- beef neck
- pork neck
- neck fillet
- braised neck
- slow-cooked neck
- neck of lamb
- neck of pork
- scrag end
a British term for the neck end of a lamb; less common in American English
Grammar Patterns
[animal] + neck
neck + of + [animal]
Usage Note
This term is used both as a countable noun ('a lamb neck' meaning one piece) and an uncountable noun ('lamb neck is tasty'). It appears most often on menus and in recipes.
neck and neck
idiomIn a competition or race, with two or more competitors at the same level, making it impossible to tell who will win.
The two runners were neck and neck as they approached the final turn of the race.
In the election polls, the two candidates are still neck and neck with less than a week to go.
pain in the neck
idiomSomeone or something that is very annoying or troublesome.
Filling out all these tax forms is a real pain in the neck.
My little brother can be a pain in the neck when he keeps interrupting my homework.
To have too much of something to deal with, especially work or problems.
Amira is up to her neck in deadlines this week and cannot take any new projects.
The company is up to its neck in debt and may have to close soon.
To watch or check what someone is doing too closely, making them feel nervous or pressured.
I cannot concentrate with my boss breathing down my neck all the time.
The other team was breathing down our neck for the whole second half of the match.
stick your neck out
idiomTo take a risk by saying or doing something that could be criticized or cause trouble.
The journalist stuck her neck out by publishing the secret documents.
I am going to stick my neck out and say that our team will win the championship this year.
by a neck
idiomBy a very small amount, especially in a race or competition.
The grey horse won the race by a neck over the black horse.
Our candidate won the election by a neck, with only fifty-two percent of the vote.
risk your neck
idiomTo put yourself in physical danger, especially by doing something brave or foolish.
The firefighter risked her neck to save the child from the burning building.
I am not going to risk my neck climbing that steep cliff without proper equipment.
get it in the neck
idiomTo be punished, criticized, or treated severely for something.
The manager got it in the neck from the directors after the project failed.
Students who arrive late will get it in the neck from the head teacher.
To have a very large amount of something to deal with.
Mia is up to her neck in homework this weekend.
Are you up to your neck in work right now?
brass neck
idiomA bold attitude that shows no respect for others.
Tom had the brass neck to ask for a raise after arriving late.
She showed real brass neck by criticizing her boss openly.
To watch someone very closely, making them feel nervous or annoyed.
My manager breathes down my neck every time I work.
Can you stop breathing down my neck? I need space.
Holding the back of an animal's or person's neck firmly.
The mother cat carried her kitten by the scruff of its neck.
He grabbed the dog by the scruff of its neck and pulled it away.
A difficult problem or duty that you cannot escape from.
That huge loan is a millstone around my neck.
Her family's debts became a millstone around her neck.
At the same level as someone in a race or competition.
The two runners were neck and neck as they crossed the finish line.
Our company is neck and neck with our main competitor.
neck of the woods
idiomA particular area or region where someone lives.
What brings you to this neck of the woods?
I haven't seen anyone from your neck of the woods lately.
a pain in the neck
idiomA person or thing that is very annoying.
This traffic jam is a real pain in the neck.
My little brother can be a pain in the neck sometimes.
To risk your job or reputation by doing or saying something.
I'm not willing to put my neck on the block for that plan.
She laid her head on the block to defend her colleague.
To rescue someone from a very difficult situation.
His quick thinking saved my neck during the presentation.
The loan from my friend saved my bacon when I was broke.
To try to avoid trouble or punishment, often by letting others suffer.
He lied to save his own skin, blaming his teammate.
She saved her neck by quitting before the scandal broke.
Used to say you are very angry with someone.
When he broke my guitar, I wanted to wring his neck.
If she forgets again, I'll wring her neck!
neck — verb
1. To engage in prolonged romantic kissing and embracing with another person, typic
To engage in prolonged romantic kissing and embracing with another person, typically in an intimate setting.
The teenagers were caught necking in the back row of the cinema.
progressive: be necking — common in continuous form
Christopher and Amira spent the evening necking on the sofa while watching a movie.
In old romance films, couples would neck under the stars on summer nights.
Zuri saw two people necking by the fountain in the park after dark.
The teacher told the students to stop necking in the hallway between classes.
- neck with someone
- neck in public
- neck on the sofa
- neck in the park
Grammar Patterns
neck (with someone)
be necking
Usage Note
This is an informal word that sounds somewhat old-fashioned. It is rarely used in formal writing. The continuous form ('necking') is far more common than the base form. Usually describes young people kissing for a long time.
Common Mistakes
2. To drink something very fast, especially an alcoholic drink, often in a single a
To drink something very fast, especially an alcoholic drink, often in a single attempt.
Marco necked his beer in one go before heading up to the stage.
pattern: neck + [drink] + in one go
The students necked their drinks quickly before the teacher returned to the room.
Vinícius necked a glass of water after running ten kilometres in the midday heat.
At the party, some guests were necking shots of tequila at the bar.
Felipe necked his coffee and ran out the door to catch the train.
non-alcoholic use: neck + coffee/water
- neck a beer
- neck a drink
- neck a shot
- neck a glass of water
- neck in one go
Grammar Patterns
neck + [drink]
Usage Note
Chiefly British informal. Used for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, though more common with alcohol. Equivalent to American English 'chug' or 'down'.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- neckerchiefnounC1
- necklacenounA2
- necklinenounB1
- necktienounB1
- bottlenecknounB2
- turtlenecknounB1
- neckedadjectiveB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All four words relate to the upper part of the body, but they refer to different areas. 'Neck' is the general term for the area between the head and shoulders. 'Throat' specifically means the front part of the neck, especially the area containing the windpipe and food passage — you feel a sore throat, not a sore neck, when swallowing hurts. 'Nape' (or 'nape of the neck') refers only to the back of the neck, where the spine meets the skull. 'Collar' is not a body part at all — it is the part of a shirt or jacket that wraps around the neck. For example: 'The dog bit the thief on the neck' uses 'neck' generally. But 'She tied her hair at the nape' uses the back-specific term. And 'A scarf protects the throat from cold wind' zeroes in on the front area.
Common collocations
Nouns
- neck pain
- neck injury
- neck muscle
- neck surgery
- neck size
- neck length
Phrases
- neck and neck
- pain in the neck
- up to one's neck
- break one's neck
- risk one's neck
- save one's neck
- stick one's neck out
- breathe down someone's neck
- by a neck
- neck of the woods
- neck of land
Prepositions
- around the neck
- in the neck
- on the neck
- by a neck
- round the neck
Etymology
The word 'neck' comes from Old English 'hnecca,' meaning the back of the neck or nape. This goes back to a Proto-Germanic root '*hnakkô,' which also produced German 'Nacken' (nape) and Dutch 'nek.' The broader meaning — the whole area between head and shoulders — developed early in the history of English. The verb senses appeared much later: 'to kiss amorously' dates from the early 1800s, while 'to drink quickly' emerged in the mid-1900s.