button-down

1 of 2

adjective

but·​ton-down ˈbə-tᵊn-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce button-down (audio)
1
a
of a collar : having the ends fastened to the garment with buttons
b of a shirt
(1)
: having a button-down collar
(2)
: having buttons from the collar to the waist
2
or buttoned-down : conservatively traditional or conventional
especially : adhering to conventional norms in dress and behavior
button-down businessmen

button-down

2 of 2

noun

: a shirt with a button-down collar

Examples of button-down in a Sentence

Adjective a button-down architectural firm would never have the imagination to produce such a cutting-edge design
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
In the pictures, Hilton is wearing a black headband and gray tank top, while Spears, 42, is wearing a white button-down shirt. Victoria Edel, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024 Paris, 26, appeared to be wearing a black dress and black boots, while Bigi, 22, sported a black suit with a white button-down shirt and tie. Jack Irvin, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
Behold, the dark academia starter pack: a pleated skirt, an argyle sweater, and a button-down shirt. Hannah Oh, Seventeen, 17 Mar. 2023 The button-down top with chest pocket and drawstring shorts are made from 95 percent premium viscose from bamboo, making for an amazingly cozy-meets-cooling feel. Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for button-down 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of button-down was in 1897

Dictionary Entries Near button-down

Cite this Entry

“Button-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/button-down. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!