What does batwing mean?
A batwing is primarily a style of wide, loose-fitting sleeve that flares dramatically from the underarm and tapers toward the wrist, its shape echoing the membrane of a bat's outstretched wing. The term is used chiefly in fashion, describing both the sleeve itself and garments — blouses, sweaters, dresses — built with such sleeves. By extension, it can refer more generally to anything broad, angular, and wing-shaped, including architectural features or decorative motifs. Batwing sleeves became especially fashionable in the mid-twentieth century, notably in 1940s eveningwear and again in bold 1980s silhouettes, lending the word a distinctly retro flavor today. Related terms include dolman and kimono sleeves, though each has distinct construction details. Compact and vivid, batwing is a useful descriptive term whenever clothing or design takes on the striking, spread-winged profile of a bat in flight.
nounA batwing is a sleeve cut very wide and deep from the underarm so that it resembles a bat's wing, or a garment featuring such sleeves. The term can also describe anything broadly and angularly shaped like a bat's outstretched wing.
- A wide, deep-set sleeve cut close to the wrist but flaring dramatically from the underarm, resembling a bat's wing.
- A garment — typically a blouse, sweater, or dress — made with such sleeves.
- Something shaped like an outstretched bat's wing, as in certain architectural or design elements.
"She wore a flowing silk blouse with dramatic batwing sleeves that swept outward when she raised her arms."
"Her vintage 1980s dress featured sweeping batwing sleeves that caught every breeze."
"The architect designed the pavilion roof with a dramatic batwing silhouette against the skyline."
Used when referring to multiple such sleeves or multiple batwing-shaped objects.
"Both batwings of her cardigan draped elegantly past her elbows."
The batwing sleeve borrows its drama straight from nature — designers literally copied the silhouette of a bat mid-flight to let fabric billow like wings.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of batwing
The word batwing derives straightforwardly from English 'bat' combined with 'wing,' forming a compound that names something resembling the wing of a bat. It arose as a descriptive term in English fashion and design vocabulary, likely during the nineteenth century as wide-sleeved garments gained popularity. Its cognates are simply other compounds built on 'wing' within English rather than borrowings from other languages.
Related word forms
How batwing is actually used
Most commonly encountered in fashion writing and retail descriptions of clothing; the term carries a slightly retro connotation, evoking 1940s and 1980s styles. Generally neutral in tone.
Easily confused with batwing
Batswing refers specifically to the small fern (Asplenium trichomanes-ramosum) sometimes called batswing fern, while batwing most often describes a wide-cut sleeve or bat-like shape.