Meaning & use
cap sleeve
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountable
A very short sleeve that covers only the top of the shoulder and does not extend down the arm.
Grammar: Countable: say a cap sleeve or cap sleeves. Often used in the plural to describe both sleeves of a garment.
Patterns
- a cap sleeve
- cap sleeves
- with cap sleeves
- short cap sleeves
She chose a simple white dress with cap sleeves for the summer wedding.
The blouse has delicate cap sleeves that make it cool enough for hot weather.
Cap sleeves are flattering on many body types because they cover the shoulder without adding bulk.
Word forms
| plural | cap sleeves |
|---|
Common combinations
- cap sleeve dress
- The cap sleeve dress was elegant but still comfortable.
- short cap sleeves
- The T-shirt features short cap sleeves and a round neck.
- with cap sleeves
- She prefers tops with cap sleeves in the summer.
- cap sleeve top
- A cap sleeve top is a good choice for layering.
Synonyms and how they differ
- short sleeve
- Short sleeve is a general term for any sleeve that ends above the elbow; a cap sleeve is even shorter, covering only the shoulder.
- flutter sleeve
- A flutter sleeve is loose and hangs down a little, while a cap sleeve fits closely over the shoulder.
Opposites
Commonly confused: cap sleeve or cap-sleeved?
cap sleeve vs cap-sleeved
Cap-sleeved is an adjective meaning having cap sleeves, as in a cap-sleeved gown. Do not use cap sleeve as an adjective before a noun; say cap-sleeved.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'cap sleeve' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The adjective form before a noun is cap-sleeved, so 'a cap-sleeved dress' is correct. 'Cap sleeve dress' is wrong because cap sleeve is a noun, not an adjective; 'cap sleeves dress' is also wrong for the same reason and has an incorrect plural; 'with cap sleeve' is wrong because the noun needs a plural or an article: 'with cap sleeves' or 'with a cap sleeve'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cap sleeve”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.