Sleeve is a noun with two main meanings. Most often, it refers to the part of a shirt, jacket, dress, or other garmentan item of clothing, such as a shirt, dress, or coat that coversputs something over a surface or body part the arm. It can also mean a small covering or case that something fitsgoes into a space or container properly into.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /sliv/
Easy pronunciation: SLEEV (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress is on the single syllable.
Pronunciation for the noun meaning the part of clothing that covers your arm.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Sleeve Meaning
the part of clothing that covers your arm
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the part of a garment attached at the armhole that covers the arm
Example: This jacket has long sleeves.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- arm — Can be used in some clothing contexts, but it is less precise and not a perfect everyday substitute for sleeve.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Sleeve
Meaning 2
a covering or holder for something
Part of speech: noun
Definition: small case into which an object fits
Example: Please put the record back in its sleeve.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Sleeve Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- arm
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse sleeve with arm: sleeve is the clothing part, while arm is the body part.
- Do not mix up sleeve's clothing meaning with its meaning as a small case or cover.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does sleeve mean in clothing?
In clothing, a sleeve is the part of a shirt, jacket, dress, or similar garment that covers the arm.
What is a sleeve in the other sense?
A sleeve can also mean a small case or cover that something fits into, such as a record sleeve.
What is the synonym of sleeve?
The closest listed synonym is arm, but it is only a partial match and works in limited clothing contexts.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.