shirt

noun

ˈshərt How to pronounce shirt (audio)
1
: a garment for the upper part of the body: such as
a
: a cloth garment usually having a collar, sleeves, a front opening, and a tail long enough to be tucked inside trousers or a skirt
b
: undershirt
2
: all or a large part of one's money or resources
lost his shirt on that business deal
shirtless
ˈshərt-ləs How to pronounce shirt (audio)
adjective
shirtlessness noun
shirtlike
ˈshərt-ˌlīk How to pronounce shirt (audio)
adjective

Examples of shirt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Not only did the limited library cards and shirts go fast, the whole rotunda reached legal capacity in just 20 minutes post-doors open time. — Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2026 The actor then removes his shirt and flexes his chest and biceps. — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 The service Friendly and welcoming, the restaurant staff wear bright pink braces over their crisp white shirts and seem to remember all of the regular guests. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026 Bailey knew his race had been run — in his 150th appearance in the shirt, but perhaps in his Villa career, too. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shirt

Word History

Etymology

Middle English shirte, from Old English scyrte; akin to Old Norse skyrta shirt, Old English scort short

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shirt was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing shirt

Rhymes for shirt

See All Rhymes for shirt

Browse Nearby Words

shirring
shirt
shirtband
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shirt. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

shirt

noun
ˈshərt How to pronounce shirt (audio)
1
: a garment for the upper part of the body usually with a collar, sleeves, a front opening, and a tail long enough to be tucked inside pants or a skirt
2
: undershirt

More from Merriam-Webster on shirt

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shirt

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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