# necklace

/ˈnɛkɫəs/ (US) · /nˈɛkləs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/necklace
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. jewellery

noun · CEFR A1

a piece of jewellery that you wear around your neck.

For teachers: an ornamental chain or string of beads, jewels, or links worn around the neck.

- She wore a beautiful gold necklace that her grandmother gave her.
- The museum's collection includes an intricate diamond necklace once owned by the French royal family.

### 2. execution device

noun · CEFR C2 · Dialect

a petrol-filled tyre used as a weapon or for execution.

For teachers: a rubber tyre filled with petrol, used in the practice of 'necklacing' as a method of extrajudicial execution.

- The history book described the horrific use of the necklace during the riots.
- The witness provided a harrowing account of how the mob used a petrol-soaked necklace to intimidate the local population.

Usage: Specific to South African English and historical contexts of political violence.

Teaching tip: This sense is highly specific to South African history; learners should be aware of its extremely violent and sensitive nature.

### 3. to execute

verb · CEFR C2 · Dialect

to kill someone using a petrol-filled tyre.

For teachers: to carry out an extrajudicial execution by placing a petrol-filled tyre around a victim's neck and setting it on fire.

- The gang threatened to necklace anyone who spoke to the police.
- During the height of the unrest, several individuals were necklaced in the streets as a warning to others.

Usage: Transitive verb used primarily in South African political and historical discourse.

Teaching tip: This is a very rare and specific verb; it is almost never used outside of discussing South African history.

## Examples

- She wears a gold necklace every day.
- The jeweler carefully repaired the broken clasp on the pearl necklace before returning it to the customer.
- The museum display featured an intricate diamond necklace that once belonged to the royal family, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship of the eighteenth century.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.