# shirtless

/ʃˈɜːtləs/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shirtless
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

not wearing a shirt or any clothing on the top half of the body.

For teachers: lacking a shirt or upper-body covering. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be' or 'remain'.

## Examples

- He is shirtless because it is very hot outside.
- The lifeguard spent the entire afternoon shirtless while watching the swimmers at the crowded beach.
- The actor appeared shirtless in several scenes to emphasize the physical transformation he underwent for the role, showcasing a level of fitness that required months of strict dieting.

## Usage notes

- Typically used as a predicative adjective following a linking verb, though it can also appear attributively before a noun.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.