'V-neck' originates from modern English, formed by the letter 'V' (representing the shape) combined with 'neck' (referring to the neckline of a garment).

'V-neck' developed from descriptive fashion usage such as 'V-shaped neckline' and 'V-necked' in 19th–20th century English, and eventually stabilized as the compound noun and adjective 'V-neck'.

Initially it described simply a 'V-shaped neckline'; over time it became a common label for garments with that neckline and an adjective describing clothing ('V-neck sweater', 'V-neck dress').