dolman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, fashion/historical technical
Quick answer
What does “dolman” mean?
A woman's loose, wide-sleeved garment, resembling a cape or robe, cut in one piece with the sleeves.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A woman's loose, wide-sleeved garment, resembling a cape or robe, cut in one piece with the sleeves.
Historically, a long, loose Turkish robe worn by men; also, a style of sleeve cut very wide at the armhole and narrowing to a tight fit at the wrist (dolman sleeve).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Slight preference for 'dolman sleeve' in fashion contexts in both regions.
Connotations
Evokes historical, Ottoman, or vintage fashion; in modern contexts, associated with a specific casual sleeve style in knitwear.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, primarily confined to specialised fields like fashion history, costume design, and vintage clothing descriptions.
Grammar
How to Use “dolman” in a Sentence
She wore a [Adjective] dolman.The design features a [Adjective] dolman sleeve.A dolman of [Material].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dolman” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She preferred the dolman-sleeved jumper for its comfort.
American English
- The pattern called for a dolman-sleeve construction.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, cultural, or fashion studies papers to describe specific garment types.
Everyday
Virtually unused. If used, it would be in the context of describing a specific item of clothing.
Technical
Standard term in fashion design and costume history for a specific sleeve/cut.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dolman”
- Mispronouncing as /ˈdɒlmæn/ or /dɒlˈmæn/.
- Confusing 'dolman sleeve' with 'raglan sleeve'.
- Using it as a general term for any loose top.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are very similar. 'Batwing' is a more general modern term for a sleeve that is wide at the armhole, while 'dolman' is the precise technical term for the cut, often implying a specific construction where the sleeve and bodice are integrated.
Historically, the dolman was a masculine garment (the Turkish robe and the hussar jacket). In modern fashion, 'dolman sleeve' styles are unisex, though the term is more frequently applied to women's clothing in contemporary usage.
No, it is a low-frequency, specialised term. The average English speaker may not know it unless they have an interest in fashion, history, or vintage clothing.
It comes from Turkish 'dolaman', meaning 'a wrapped garment', which entered English via French in the 16th century.
A woman's loose, wide-sleeved garment, resembling a cape or robe, cut in one piece with the sleeves.
Dolman is usually formal, fashion/historical technical in register.
Dolman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɒlmən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdoʊlmən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a DOLL wearing a MAN's large, loose robe - DOLL-MAN = DOLMAN.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLOTHING IS A SHELTER (the loose, enveloping shape).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'dolman' most precisely and commonly used?