1 a piece of clothing that covers the upper part of your body and your arms, and usually has a collar and buttons down the front → blouse: I have to wear a shirt and tie to work.2somebody would give you the shirt off his/her back informal used to say that someone is very generous: Dan’s the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back.3keep your shirt on spoken used to tell someone who is becoming angry to stay calm4no shirt, no shoes, no service used on signs in restaurants and stores to say that if you are not wearing a shirt or shoes, you cannot come in [Origin: Old English scyrte] → see alsostuffed shirt