shirt-sleeve

or shirt·sleeve, shirt-sleeved, shirt-sleeves

[ shurt-sleev ]

/ ˈʃɜrtˌsliv /

|

adjective

not wearing a jacket; informally dressed: a shirt-sleeve mob.

warm enough to live or work in without wearing a jacket or coat: shirt-sleeve weather in November.

simple, plain, and informal; direct and straightforward in approach, manner, etc.: shirt-sleeve diplomacy.

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Nearby words

shirt, shirt front, shirt jacket, shirt-dress, shirt-lifter, shirt-sleeve, shirt-stud abscess, shirt-tail, shirtband, shirtdress, shirting

Origin of shirt-sleeve

First recorded in 1560–70

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for shirt-sleeves

The door stood invitingly open; the attendant was lolling thereat in his shirt-sleeves admiringly scanning the approaching group.
Marion's Faith.|Charles King
Well, considering that you were in your shirt-sleeves, their not perceiving that we weren't in their style was not so wonderful.
The Pillars of the House, Vol. II (of 2)|Charlotte M. Yonge
Mr. Y. enters in his shirt-sleeves, carrying an insect net and a botanical tin box.
Plays: Comrades; Facing Death; Pariah; Easter|August Strindberg
The old man stood looking at her, with his coat off and with his shirt-sleeves rolled up.
The Jucklins|Opie Read

Simpkins, in his shirt-sleeves, was lighting the topmost candle.
The Upas Tree|Florence L. Barclay