Standard Lemma guide

shirt-sleeve

adj · noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Having an informal, relaxed appearance or approach, particularly in business.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • He had a shirt-sleeve style of management.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

That allows working without the need of wearing a spacesuit.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Qualifier: space flight

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

Alternative form of shirt sleeve.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: alt-of, alternative

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

The adjective sense is derived from the practice of taking one’s jacket off and relaxing in shirt sleeves.