shirt·tail
ˈshərt-ˌtāl 
1
: the part of a shirt that reaches below the waist especially in the back
2
: something small or inadequate
1
: very young : immature
shirttail boys fishing in the creek
2
: distantly and indefinitely related
a shirttail cousin on her father's side
3
: small, trivial, or short typically to the point of inadequacy
has a gullied shirttail ranch in the hills
Examples of shirttail in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Mike Fitzpatrick, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024
It’s designed with plenty of classic features, like a straight-point collar, buttoned cuffs, and a shirttail hem.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2024
With his wayward blond hair and denim shirttail hanging out, Jonathan Taylor Thomas looks for all the world like any other 12-year-old.
—Susan Schindehette, Peoplemag, 24 June 2024
Its shirttail hem curves down in the front and back, and princess seams along the sides and back create a slimming, contoured effect.
—Kate Watson, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2024
Also available in a men’s cut, the Marmot Women’s Ridgefield Heavyweight Sherpa-Lined Flannel Jacket channels a lumberjack chic look with its relaxed fit and shirttail hem.
—Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 12 Dec. 2023
With a shirttail hem that falls below the hips and covers your backside, the intentionally large, extra-long cut is perfect for layering over shorter or more form-fitting shirts.
—Theresa Holland, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2023
Rather than a traditional shirttail, this button-down has a modern straight hem.
—Theresa Holland, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2023
Cutting off a shirttail has never improved anyone’s shooting, for one.
—The Editors, Field & Stream, 11 Oct. 2020
Darren Franich, EW.com, 14 Sep. 2020
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Noun
And through it all, Carnesecca was a swirling, kinetic presence on the sidelines, arms flailing, legs kicking, shirttails flying, all 5-foot-6 of him curled in exasperation over a missed shot or agonizing call.
—Mike Fitzpatrick, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024
It’s designed with plenty of classic features, like a straight-point collar, buttoned cuffs, and a shirttail hem.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2024
With his wayward blond hair and denim shirttail hanging out, Jonathan Taylor Thomas looks for all the world like any other 12-year-old.
—Susan Schindehette, Peoplemag, 24 June 2024
Its shirttail hem curves down in the front and back, and princess seams along the sides and back create a slimming, contoured effect.
—Kate Watson, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2024
Also available in a men’s cut, the Marmot Women’s Ridgefield Heavyweight Sherpa-Lined Flannel Jacket channels a lumberjack chic look with its relaxed fit and shirttail hem.
—Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 12 Dec. 2023
With a shirttail hem that falls below the hips and covers your backside, the intentionally large, extra-long cut is perfect for layering over shorter or more form-fitting shirts.
—Theresa Holland, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2023
Rather than a traditional shirttail, this button-down has a modern straight hem.
—Theresa Holland, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2023
Cutting off a shirttail has never improved anyone’s shooting, for one.
—The Editors, Field & Stream, 11 Oct. 2020
Adjective
Ratched is a shirttail American Horror Story spinoff that owes a clear debt to that anthology’s transcendent Asylum entry.
—Darren Franich, EW.com, 14 Sep. 2020
Dictionary Entries Near shirttail
Cite this Entry
“Shirttail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shirttail. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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