sleeve
B1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
The part of a garment that wholly or partly covers a person's arm.
A protective or decorative cover resembling or functioning like a sleeve, such as a tube into which a rod or another tube fits, or a jacket for a record.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a count noun. The core clothing sense is highly frequent. Extended technical senses are common in specific domains (e.g., engineering, music). Often appears in idioms conveying hidden intentions, preparedness, or emotional openness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning. Minor spelling variants in compounds (e.g., 'sleeve note' vs. 'liner note' for album inserts, with 'liner note' being more common in AmE). The idiom 'laugh up one's sleeve' is somewhat dated in both but might be slightly more recognized in BrE.
Connotations
Identical core connotations. In technical contexts (engineering), both varieties use 'sleeve' similarly.
Frequency
Equal high frequency in everyday language. The verb form 'to sleeve' (to fit with a sleeve) is rare and technical in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Adj] sleevesleeve of [garment/item][Verb] one's sleevesleeve for [purpose]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “have something up one's sleeve”
- “wear one's heart on one's sleeve”
- “roll up one's sleeves”
- “laugh up one's sleeve”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in fashion retail (e.g., 'The autumn collection features tailored sleeves') and manufacturing specifications.
Academic
Appears in fashion history, textile studies, and engineering design papers (e.g., 'the coupling sleeve demonstrated reduced friction').
Everyday
Extremely common in descriptions of clothing and in idioms about readiness or secrecy.
Technical
In engineering: a cylindrical covering or lining (e.g., 'sleeve valve', 'sleeve coupling'). In music: the protective cover for a vinyl record.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The engineer will sleeve the cables to meet safety regulations.
- They had to sleeve the exposed pipe before installing it.
American English
- We need to sleeve these wires before running them through the wall.
- The mechanic sleeved the new hydraulic line.
adjective
British English
- She bought a three-quarter-sleeved blouse for the interview.
- The sleeved blanket was a popular gift.
American English
- He prefers a long-sleeved shirt even in summer.
- The sleeved poncho is great for chilly evenings.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He rolled up his sleeves to wash the dishes.
- My shirt has a blue sleeve.
- She kept the secret recipe up her sleeve for years.
- I need a jacket with longer sleeves.
- The vinyl record was still in its original illustrated sleeve.
- Wearing his heart on his sleeve, he confessed his feelings immediately.
- The contract had several clauses hidden up the solicitor's sleeve.
- The new polymer sleeve significantly reduces bearing wear in the mechanism.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SLEEVE you SLeeVE your arm into. The word 'leave' is in 'sleeve' – you can 'leave' a note in a record sleeve or 'leave' your arm in a shirt sleeve.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND/HEART IS A CONTAINER (with the sleeve as an access point or hiding place), as in 'wear one's heart on one's sleeve' or 'have a trick up one's sleeve'.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- The Russian word 'рукав' (rukav) can mean both 'sleeve' and a 'branch' of a river or a hose. English 'sleeve' is only for garments or similar coverings, not for geographical features.
- Avoid calquing 'laugh in one's sleeve' directly; the equivalent idiom is 'laugh up one's sleeve'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'sleve' or 'sleave'.
- Using 'sleeve' as a verb in non-technical contexts (e.g., 'I sleeved the book' is not standard for putting a book in a cover).
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'sleeve' NOT typically refer to a protective cover?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while the primary meaning relates to garments, 'sleeve' is also used for various protective or decorative covers, such as a record sleeve or an engineering sleeve used as a lining or coupling.
It means to prepare to work hard or get seriously involved in a task, often with a sense of determination and practicality.
Yes, but it is technical. To 'sleeve' something means to fit, cover, or enclose it with a sleeve, commonly in engineering or construction contexts (e.g., sleeving a cable).
The 'sleeve' is the entire part covering the arm. The 'cuff' is specifically the folded or thickened end part of the sleeve, at the wrist.
Collections
Part of a collection
Colors and Clothes
A1 · 45 words · Colors and common items of clothing.