Collar - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms (2023)

collars; collared; collaring

A collar goes around a neck. For a human, it’s the neckband of a shirt or jacket. For an animal, it’s a neckband that attaches to a leash, kills fleas, or makes a poodle feel fancy.

The color of your collar says something about what you do. “Blue collar” refers to people who do manual labor while “white collar” refers to people with desk jobs. Animals generally don’t care what their collars look like. When it's a verb, collar means "apprehend" or "arrest," as when a police detective finally collars an elusive bank robber. This meaning arose from the 17th century use of collar, "grab someone by the neck."

Definitions of collar

  1. noun

    a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over

    synonyms:neckband
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    types:
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    choker, neck ruff, ruff, ruffle

    a high tight collar

    Roman collar, clerical collar, dog collar

    a stiff white collar with no opening in the front; a distinctive symbol of the clergy

    Eton collar

    broad white collar worn over the lapels of a jacket

    Peter Pan collar

    a flat collar with rounded ends that meet in front

    rabato, rebato

    a wired or starched collar of intricate lace; worn in 17th century

    polo-neck collar, turtleneck collar

    a high close-fitting turnover collar

    fraise

    a ruff for the neck worn in the 16th century

    type of:
    band

    a thin flat strip of flexible material that is worn around the body or one of the limbs (especially to decorate the body)

  2. noun

    anything worn or placed about the neck

    “the thief was forced to wear a heavy wooden collar

    “a collar of flowers was placed about the neck of the winning horse”

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    type of:
    neckpiece

    an article of apparel worn about the neck

  3. noun

    necklace that fits tightly around a woman's neck

    synonyms:choker, dog collar, neckband
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    type of:
    necklace

    jewelry consisting of a cord or chain (often bearing gems) worn about the neck as an ornament (especially by women)

  4. noun

    (zoology) an encircling band or marking around the neck of any animal

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    type of:
    band, banding, stria, striation

    a stripe or stripes of contrasting color

  5. noun

    a band of leather or rope that is placed around an animal's neck as a harness or to identify it

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    types:
    dog collar

    a collar for a dog

    type of:
    band

    a thin flat strip of flexible material that is worn around the body or one of the limbs (especially to decorate the body)

  6. verb

    furnish with a collar

    collar the dog”

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    type of:
    equip, fit, fit out, outfit

    provide with (something) usually for a specific purpose

  7. noun

    a figurative restraint

    “asked for a collar on program trading in the stock market”

    synonyms:leash
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    type of:
    restraint

    the act of controlling by restraining someone or something

  8. noun

    the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)

    “the policeman on the beat got credit for the collar

    synonyms:apprehension, arrest, catch, pinch, taking into custody
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    type of:
    capture, gaining control, seizure

    the act of forcibly dispossessing an owner of property

  9. verb

    seize by the neck or collar

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    type of:
    clutch, prehend, seize

    take hold of; grab

  10. verb

    take into custody

    synonyms:apprehend, arrest, cop, nab, nail, pick up
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    type of:
    clutch, prehend, seize

    take hold of; grab

  11. noun

    a short ring fastened over a rod or shaft to limit, guide, or secure a machine part

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    type of:
    hoop, ring

    a rigid circular band of metal or wood or other material used for holding or fastening or hanging or pulling

  12. noun

    the stitching that forms the rim of a shoe or boot

    synonyms:shoe collar
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    type of:
    brim, lip, rim

    the top edge of a vessel or other container

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