shirttail

1 of 2

noun

shirt·​tail ˈshərt-ˌtāl 

1

: the part of a shirt that reaches below the waist especially in the back

2

: something small or inadequate

shirttail

2 of 2

adjective

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

Noun

This capsule wardrobe staple has a modern look with a shirttail hemline, subtle puff sleeves, and a crisp crewneck collar. — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026

This sleeveless shirtdress features a flattering shirttail hem and button-up front for a look that’s casual but polished. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026

Caslon Shirttail Mock-Neck Sweater Between the cozy ribbed knit and unique shirttail silhouette, this Caslon mock-neck sweater is all about elevated details. — Jordan Julian, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026

College football is in chaos, its clothes disheveled, shirttail out, shoes expensive, Italian-made, but scuffed. — Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2025

Thankfully, this one with a straight point collar, barrel cuffs, and a shirttail hem is a near-perfect dupe. — Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 5 July 2025

Outside of its flowy style, the dress also features a V-neck band collar and a curved shirttail hem that gives it a touch of feminine flair. — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 20 June 2025

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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1659, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shirttail

• airmail
• assail
• avail
• bewail
• blackmail
• cattail
• cocktail
• curtail
• derail
• detail
• dovetail
• email

Kids Definition

shirttail

noun

shirt·​tail

-ˌtāl

: the part of a shirt that reaches below the waist especially in the back