shirtlessadj.
/ˈʃəːtləs/, U.S. /ˈʃərtləs/ 1. Without a shirt; spec. (usually of a man) wearing no clothes above the waist; cf. topless adj. 3b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > [adjective] > wearing clothing for body (and limbs) > wearing a shirt > not
shirtless1611
1611 T. Coryate Crambe sig. b3 Thy Pilgrime feast of lushious Crudities Dishes of biting beasts, and shirtlesse Nudities.
1728 A. Pope Dunciad iii. 102 Grave Mummers, sleeveless some, and shirtless others.
1863 ‘Union’ Let. 22 July in Cincinnati Daily Commerc. 24 July One bootless, hatless, shirtless being held his suspenderless pants with one hand.
1962 J. F. Powers Morte d'Urban 218 Some shirtless youths in an old car rolled up from behind him.
2014 New Yorker 24 Mar. 73/1 The left side of the dance floor was dominated by muscular men, many shirtless.
2. Of an activity, image, etc.: involving or featuring a person or group not wearing a shirt or shirts.
ΚΠ
1922 Amer. Photo-engraver July 368/2 George King..will introduce the shirtless dance at the grand opening of the Hollywood Club in the fall.
1936 Evening Democrat (Fort Madison, Iowa) 20 Apr. 2/4 Shirtless running..was tabooed by meet officials.
2019 MailOnline (Nexis) 29 May (Femail section) The 25-year-old actor..uploaded 17 only slightly different shirtless selfies in the span of ten minutes.
Derivatives
ˈshirtlessness n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > [noun] > wearing other clothing > state of > not
shirtlessness1829
1829 Westm. Rev. 10 371 A timely recollection of the saying might have rescued Augustus from the ridicule of shirtlessness.
2010 Independent 16 Aug. 23/4 Seaside resort towns like Cannes..have long had rules banning shirtlessness and bikini-wearing by tourists walking around town.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2021; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1611