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shirtsleeve

shirtsleeve

5 2.4
The part of a shirt that covers the arm
  • noun
  • /ˈʃɜrtsliːv/
translation icon : manga
  • Behind her was a bulky man in shirtsleeves and an apron who was pushing a heavy metal cart.
  • shirtsleeves rolled
  • men in shirtsleeves
  • Shirtsleeve weather

Examples

  • After a day of hard work in the garden, I came inside with my shirtsleeves covered in dirt.

  • He rolled up his shirtsleeve to show off his tattoo.

  • I half expect him to roll a pack of cigarettes in his shirtsleeve.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Roll up your shirtsleeves, partner.

  • You caught me in my shirtsleeves.

  • Despite the silence, John seems more relaxed, in shirtsleeves and a loosened tie.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • I found him very attractive sitting there with his shirtsleeves rolled up and his jacket behind him on the mats.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • His tie hung loose at the collar, his shirtsleeves rolled up to his elbows.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Palm trees, warm breezes, people walkin' around in shirtsleeves.

  • Isaac rolls up his shirtsleeves, and the veins stand out on his bare forearms.

    Fiction book (1999)

Synonyms

sleeve
vsshirtsleeve
234 1.0

The part of clothes that covers the arm, like on a shirt

is the same arm covering but limited to upper-body clothing rather than any garment
raglan sleeve
vsshirtsleeve
6.2

A sleeve that goes to the collar in one piece with a slanted seam from the armpit to the neck

is the ordinary arm covering for an upper-body garment without that diagonal seam

Surface Forms

shirtsleeve singular
shirtsleeves plural

Morphology

shirtsleeve = shirt + sleeve (transparent) = shirt + sleeve

Literal compound of 'shirt' + 'sleeve' referring directly to the sleeve of a shirt; meaning is straightforward for learners.

Etymology

Shirtsleeve is simply shirt + sleeve, meaning the sleeve that belongs to a shirt. So think of it as the part that 'covers the arm', which is why we speak of rolling up your shirtsleeve when you get ready to work.