Definition

1. Noun:

   • The part of the body connecting the head to the shoulders: In humans and animals, the neck is the slender part that supports the head.
   • A narrow part resembling this body part: An elongated, constricted section of an object, such as a bottle, guitar, or piece of land.
   • The opening or part of a garment that fits around the neck: The section of clothing, like a shirt or sweater, that encircles the wearer's neck.
   • A cut of meat from the neck region of an animal: Used as food.

2. Verb:

   • To kiss and caress amorously: To engage in intimate kissing and embracing, often for an extended period.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • She wore a scarf around her neck to keep warm.
  • He gripped the neck of the bottle tightly.
  • The dress has a V-neck.
  • We bought some neck of lamb for the stew.

• Verb:

  • The teenagers were caught necking in the park.

Advanced Usage

• "neck and neck": Very close together in a race or competition; level.

  • The two runners were neck and neck as they approached the finish line.

• "to stick one's neck out": To take a risk or do something bold that might invite criticism or trouble.

  • He stuck his neck out by defending the unpopular policy.

• "to save one's neck": To avoid death, punishment, or a difficult situation.

  • He testified against the gang to save his own neck.

• "a pain in the neck": An annoying person or thing.

  • Filling out all these forms is a real pain in the neck.

Variants and Related Words

• Neckline (n): The shape or style of the opening of a garment at the neck.

  • She prefers dresses with a high neckline.

• Neckerchief (n): A square of cloth worn around the neck.

Synonyms

• Noun: Cervix (anatomical), nape (back of the neck), isthmus (for land), collar (for clothing).
• Verb: Snog (British informal), make out, smooch.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Neck down (to) (idiomatic): To narrow or taper to a smaller part.
  • The valley necks down to a narrow gorge.

Related Idioms

• "Break one's neck": To try extremely hard to do something.

  • Don't break your neck getting here; we can start without you.

• "Breathe down someone's neck": To watch someone very closely, making them feel pressured.

  • My boss is always breathing down my neck about the deadline.

• "Win by a neck": To win a race by a very small margin (originally from horse racing).

  • The favorite won the race by a neck.

Noun

1. an opening in a garment for the neck of the wearer; a part of the garment near the wearer's neck
2. a narrow part of an artifact that resembles a neck in position or form
   • the banjo had a long neck
   • the bottle had a wide neck
3. a cut of meat from the neck of an animal
4. a narrow elongated projecting strip of land
5. the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
   • he admired her long graceful neck
   • the horse won by a neck

Verb

1. kiss, embrace, or fondle with sexual passion
   • The couple were necking in the back seat of the car