English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun A1 Beginner Common

shirt

shurt
Quiz me More like this

Shirt (noun) means a garment worn on the upper body, usually with sleeves and a collar. Example: “He ironed his shirt before the interview.”

noun
1
A garment worn on the upper body, usually with sleeves and a collar.
"He ironed his shirt before the interview."
"She bought a new shirt for the wedding."
"He spilled coffee on his white shirt on the way to work."

How to use shirt

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA piece of clothing for the top half of the body.

Common pairings
button-up shirt wear a shirt shirt and tie
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like shirt.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice

Word forms

Plural
shirts
Third person singular
shirts
Past tense
shirted
Test yourself on “shirt” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He ironed his _____ before the interview.

Etymology

From Old English sċyrte, "a short garment," related to German Schürze ("apron") and a doublet of skirt — both trace to a Germanic root meaning "short."

Origin: Old English

top blouse tee t-shirt jersey button-up

Related words

Rhymes for shirt

See all rhymes for shirt →

Frequently asked questions

What does “shirt” mean?
The word “shirt” means a garment worn on the upper body, usually with sleeves and a collar. In plain terms, a piece of clothing for the top half of the body.
How do you pronounce “shirt”?
“Shirt” is pronounced shurt (/ʃɜɹt/ in IPA).
How do you use “shirt” in a sentence?
Here is “shirt” used in a sentence: “He ironed his shirt before the interview.”
What part of speech is “shirt”?
“Shirt” is a noun.
Where does the word “shirt” come from?
The word “shirt” comes from Old English. From Old English sċyrte, "a short garment," related to German Schürze ("apron") and a doublet of skirt — both trace to a Germanic root meaning "short.".
Is “shirt” a common word?
“Shirt” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between a shirt and a blouse?
A shirt is a general upper-body garment, usually with a collar and buttons, worn by anyone. A blouse traditionally refers to a woman's version, often looser, softer, or more decorative. In everyday use the line is blurred, but blouse almost always implies women's wear, while shirt stays neutral.
What is the difference between a shirt and a t-shirt?
A classic shirt has a collar, buttons down the front, and is usually made of woven fabric. A t-shirt is a simpler, T-shaped pullover of stretchy knit fabric, with short sleeves and no collar or buttons. A t-shirt is a casual type of shirt, but not every shirt is a t-shirt.
What are the types of shirts?
Common types include the dress shirt, with a collar and buttons for formal wear; the t-shirt, a casual knit pullover; the polo shirt, with a collar and a few buttons; and the flannel or check shirt. Others include Oxford shirts, Hawaiian shirts, and sports jerseys.
What is the difference between a shirt and a top?
Top is the broadest word for any upper-body garment, including shirts, blouses, t-shirts, and jumpers. A shirt is one specific kind of top, usually with a collar and buttons. So every shirt is a top, but a top can be many things that are not shirts.

Featured in

People also searched