tartan

noun

tar·​tan ˈtär-tᵊn How to pronounce tartan (audio)
1
: a plaid textile design of Scottish origin consisting of stripes of varying width and color usually patterned to designate a distinctive clan
2
a
: a twilled woolen fabric with tartan design
b
: a fabric with tartan design
3
: a garment of tartan design

Examples of tartan in a Sentence

a kilt in the clan's tartan
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Princess Charlotte’s attire for the holiday featured a blue and green tartan coat with long sleeves, a black collar and sharp lapels. Julia Teti, WWD, 26 Dec. 2024 And today at Sandringham, the family once again put on a united front sartorially: George and Louis wore smart navy coats and ties to match their father, Prince William, while Charlotte wore a tartan coat and a green velvet ribbon in her hair to subtly coordinate with her mother. Liam Hess, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2024 Grab your tartan cape and a glass of wine: The Traitors season three is coming very soon. Glamour, 18 Dec. 2024 This tartan trench coat is a versatile style enhancer, effortlessly elevating any outfit with its varied plaid patterns. Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tartan 

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from Middle French tiretaine linsey-woolsey

First Known Use

circa 1500, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tartan was circa 1500

Dictionary Entries Near tartan

Cite this Entry

“Tartan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tartan. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

tartan

noun
tar·​tan ˈtärt-ᵊn How to pronounce tartan (audio)
1
: a plaid textile design of Scottish origin
2
: a fabric or garment with tartan design

More from Merriam-Webster on tartan

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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