neck
The part of the body that connects the head to the rest of the body. It supports the weight of the head and allows it to turn and move.
Examples
3 of 5I have a sore neck from sleeping in a bad position.
I have a sore neck from sleeping in a bad position.
The physician examined the patient's neck for any signs of swelling.
The physician examined the patient's neck for any signs of swelling.
My neck is killing me after staring at my laptop all day.
My neck is killing me after staring at my laptop all day.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'necklace'—the jewelry you wear specifically around your 'neck'.
Quick Quiz
The giraffe has a very long ____ so it can reach leaves high in the trees.
Correct!
The correct answer is: neck
Examples
I have a sore neck from sleeping in a bad position.
everydayI have a sore neck from sleeping in a bad position.
The physician examined the patient's neck for any signs of swelling.
formalThe physician examined the patient's neck for any signs of swelling.
My neck is killing me after staring at my laptop all day.
informalMy neck is killing me after staring at my laptop all day.
The cervical vertebrae are the seven bones located in the human neck.
academicThe cervical vertebrae are the seven bones located in the human neck.
The employee was required to wear a formal tie around his neck at the meeting.
businessThe employee was required to wear a formal tie around his neck at the meeting.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
pain in the neck
pain in the neck (a person or thing that is very annoying)
neck and neck
neck and neck (very close in a race or competition)
stick your neck out
stick your neck out (to take a risk)
Often Confused With
The neck is the whole physical structure connecting the head to the body, whereas the throat is the front part of the neck or the passage inside it.
Usage Notes
The word 'neck' is most commonly used for anatomy, but it can also describe the narrow part of objects like bottles, guitars, or clothing.
Common Mistakes
Learners often say 'my throat hurts' when they mean they have muscle pain in their 'neck', or vice versa.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'necklace'—the jewelry you wear specifically around your 'neck'.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old English word 'hnecca', which specifically referred to the back of the neck.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many Western cultures, nodding the neck up and down signifies agreement, while shaking it side to side signifies disagreement.
Quick Quiz
The giraffe has a very long ____ so it can reach leaves high in the trees.
Correct!
The correct answer is: neck
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
More Health words
head
A1The upper part of the human body that contains the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. It is supported by the neck and is the center for the senses and thinking.
ear
A1The ear is the organ on the side of the head that humans and animals use to hear sounds. It also helps the body maintain its sense of balance.
mouth
A1The opening in the lower part of the human face, surrounded by the lips, through which food is taken in and sounds and speech are emitted. It contains the teeth and the tongue and is the beginning of the digestive tract.
tooth
A1A tooth is one of the hard, white objects in your mouth used for biting and chewing food. Humans have two sets of teeth during their lives: primary (baby) teeth and permanent (adult) teeth.
shoulder
A1The shoulder is the part of the human body where the arm connects to the trunk. It consists of a large joint that allows the arm to rotate and move in many directions.
finger
A1One of the five long, thin parts at the end of the human hand. Fingers are used for feeling, touching, and gripping objects.
stomach
A1The organ in your body where food goes after you eat it to be broken down. It is also the front part of your body below the chest and above the legs.
leg
A1A leg is one of the long parts of the body that humans and animals use for standing, walking, and running. It refers to the entire limb starting from the hip down to the ankle.
foot
A1The foot is the part of the body at the bottom of the leg that a person stands on. It is used for balance, walking, running, and jumping.
toe
A1A toe is one of the five separate parts at the end of the human foot. They help provide balance and support the weight of the body while standing or walking.
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