Variant: also shirt · sleeves
Pronunciation: - ˌ sl ē vz
or shirt · sleeved \ - ˌ sl ē vd \
Function: adjective
Date: 1842
1 a : being without a coat <a shirtsleeve spectator> b : calling for the removal of coats for the sake of comfort or efficiency < shirtsleeve weather>
2 : marked by informality and directness < shirtsleeve diplomacy>