batwing sleeve: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialised/Technical
Quick answer
What does “batwing sleeve” mean?
A type of sleeve on a garment that is very wide at the armhole and narrows tightly at the wrist, creating a triangular or wing-like shape.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of sleeve on a garment that is very wide at the armhole and narrows tightly at the wrist, creating a triangular or wing-like shape.
A distinctive, dramatic sleeve style often associated with certain fashion eras (like the 1980s) or specific garments (like kimonos or fantasy costumes).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. The term is used in fashion/fabric contexts in both regions. Spelling remains consistent.
Connotations
Same technical/specialist connotation in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialised in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “batwing sleeve” in a Sentence
The [garment] has batwing sleeves.She wore a [garment] with batwing sleeves.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “batwing sleeve” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The batwing-sleeve jumper was a popular charity shop find.
American English
- She designed a batwing-sleeve top for the collection.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in fashion retail, product descriptions, and manufacturing specifications.
Academic
Used in fashion history, textile, and design studies.
Everyday
Rare; used when specifically discussing clothing styles.
Technical
Standard term in pattern making, sewing, and fashion design.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “batwing sleeve”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “batwing sleeve”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “batwing sleeve”
- Confusing it with 'angel sleeve' (which is wide and flared at the wrist) or 'bell sleeve'.
- Using it as an adjective before a noun without a hyphen (e.g., 'batwing sleeve top' is preferable to 'batwing-sleeve top').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are very similar and often used interchangeably. Technically, a dolman sleeve is cut as one piece with the bodice, while a batwing sleeve emphasises the wing-like shape, but the distinction is blurry in common usage.
They are often recommended for pear-shaped bodies as they add balance to the upper body, but can be unflattering on very broad shoulders or a large bust as they add volume there.
They saw a major revival in the 1980s, associated with oversized knitwear and avant-garde fashion.
When used as a compound modifier before a noun, it is typically hyphenated: 'batwing-sleeve dress'. When used after the noun, it is usually two words: 'a dress with batwing sleeves'.
A type of sleeve on a garment that is very wide at the armhole and narrows tightly at the wrist, creating a triangular or wing-like shape.
Batwing sleeve is usually specialised/technical in register.
Batwing sleeve: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbætˌwɪŋ sliːv/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbætˌwɪŋ sliv/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the shape of a bat's wing: wide where it meets the body and narrow at the tip. This sleeve mimics that exact silhouette.
Conceptual Metaphor
FORM IS FUNCTION (The sleeve's shape is metaphorically named after a natural form with a similar shape).
Practice
Quiz
What is a key characteristic of a batwing sleeve?