# Piccadilly

/ˈpɪkəˌdɪɫi/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/piccadilly
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a large, stiff collar that people wore around their necks in the 16th and 17th centuries. It was a very fancy fashion item for wealthy people.

For teachers: a high, stiffened collar or ruff, often with a scalloped or tabbed edge, fashionable in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The term is the likely etymological source for the name of London's Piccadilly Circus.

## Examples

- The nobleman wore a lace piccadilly with his velvet suit.
- Historical portraits from the Elizabethan era often depict courtiers wearing an elaborate piccadilly to signal their high social status.
- While the piccadilly has long since vanished from modern wardrobes, its legacy persists in the name of one of London's most famous junctions, originally named after a tailor's house.

## Usage notes

- Archaic in general use; primarily encountered in historical or fashion-history contexts.

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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.