sleeve
sleev
Sleeve (noun) means the part of a garment that covers the arm. Example: “He rolled up his sleeves before starting the repair.”
noun
1
The part of a garment that covers the arm.
"He rolled up his sleeves before starting the repair."
"Her jacket had short sleeves, perfect for the warm weather."
"The sleeve of her coat caught on the door handle."
2
A protective cover or lining, often tube-shaped, that fits over something.
"The vinyl record came in a cardboard sleeve with the band's artwork."
"Slide a protective sleeve over your tablet before putting it in your bag."
"The mechanic fitted a metal sleeve around the damaged pipe."
How to use sleeve
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe arm-covering part of clothing, or, more broadly, any protective covering shaped to fit over something.
Common mistake
"Have something up your sleeve" means to have a hidden plan or trick ready — don't take it literally.
Common pairings
roll up one's sleeves
short sleeve
record sleeve
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Word forms
- Plural
- sleeves
- Third person singular
- sleeves
- Past tense
- sleeved
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He rolled up his _____ before starting the repair.
Etymology
From Old English slīefe, ultimately related to Dutch sloof ("apron") — the underlying idea is a covering that fits over something.
Related words
Rhymes for sleeve
See all rhymes for sleeve →Frequently asked questions
What does “sleeve” mean?
The word “sleeve” means the part of a garment that covers the arm. In plain terms, the arm-covering part of clothing, or, more broadly, any protective covering shaped to fit over something.
How do you pronounce “sleeve”?
“Sleeve” is pronounced sleev (/sliv/ in IPA).
How do you use “sleeve” in a sentence?
Here is “sleeve” used in a sentence: “He rolled up his sleeves before starting the repair.”
What part of speech is “sleeve”?
“Sleeve” is a noun.
Where does the word “sleeve” come from?
The word “sleeve” comes from Old English. From Old English slīefe, ultimately related to Dutch sloof ("apron") — the underlying idea is a covering that fits over something.
Is “sleeve” a common word?
“Sleeve” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “sleeve” have?
“Sleeve” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the part of a garment that covers the arm.
What is the difference between a sleeve and a cuff?
A sleeve is the part of a garment that covers the arm, while a cuff is the band or folded edge at the end of the sleeve around the wrist. The cuff is a small finishing part of the larger sleeve.
What is the difference between a sleeve and a case?
Both cover or hold an object, but a sleeve is usually a thin, flat or tube-shaped cover that slides over something, such as a record sleeve. A case is typically more rigid and fully encloses the item for protection.
