button-down

1 of 2

adjective

but·​ton-down ˈbə-tᵊn-ˌdau̇n 

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

ˈbə-tᵊn(d)-ˌdau̇n 

: 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

Synonyms

Adjective

• archconservative
• brassbound
• conservative
• die-hard
• hidebound
• mossbacked
• old-fashioned
• old-line
• old-school
• orthodox
• paleoconservative
• reactionary
• standpat
• traditional
• traditionalistic
• ultraconservative
• unprogressive

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

Adjective

Styled with white button-down shirts and monochromatic tanks, the double denim outfits broke away from the Western trend that was popular during the last fashion week. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 27 June 2024

Beyond its wardrobe-enhancing abilities, a quality button-down shirt also comes in handy as a bathing suit cover-up when lounging at my favorite hotel pools and the beach. —Amber Love Bond, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 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

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1924, in the meaning defined above