English Reference
noun · verb

collar

n. · v.
US /ˈkɑɫɝ/ UK /kˈɒlɐ/ col·lar UK spelling collars

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    n.the part of a shirt, coat, or dress that goes around your neck.

    n.the part of a garment that fastens around or frames the neck.

    Simple

    He straightened his collar in the mirror before the job interview.

    In context

    The designer opted for a stiff, high collar to give the evening jacket a more formal and structured appearance.

    neckband
  2. 02 A2 Elementary

    n.a band of leather or plastic that a pet wears around its neck.

    n.a strap or band, typically of leather or nylon, placed around the neck of an animal for identification or control.

    Simple

    The dog's name and phone number were engraved on its silver collar.

    In context

    The trainer recommended a padded collar to ensure the greyhound's comfort during long walks through the park.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.a way to describe types of jobs, like 'white-collar' for office work or 'blue-collar' for manual work.

    n.used in compounds to categorise socio-economic classes based on typical work attire.

    Simple

    The town has many blue-collar workers who be employed at the local factory.

    In context

    Economists noted a significant shift from blue-collar manufacturing roles to white-collar service positions over the last decade.

  4. 04 C1 Advanced SlangInformal Law

    n.the act of catching a criminal or making an arrest.

    n.the apprehension or arrest of a suspect by law enforcement.

    Simple

    The police made a big collar after chasing the thief for three blocks.

    In context

    The narcotics division celebrated the collar of a high-profile distributor after a six-month undercover operation.

  5. 05 B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    v.to stop someone and make them listen to you, or to catch a criminal.

    v.to seize by the neck or clothing; by extension, to detain someone for conversation or to arrest them.

    Simple

    I tried to leave the party, but my boss collared me to talk about a new project.

    In context

    The detective managed to collar the suspect just as he was attempting to board the international flight.

  6. 06 C2 Proficiency Technical Cooking

    v.to roll up a piece of meat and tie it with string before cooking it.

    v.to roll up meat, such as pork or beef, and bind it securely with twine for curing or cooking.

    Simple

    The recipe explains how to collar the pork belly before roasting it.

    In context

    Traditional British charcuterie often involves collaring various cuts of meat to ensure even curing and a distinctive sliced appearance.

This entry
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Common
Updated