noun
tartan
TAHTN
noun
1
A woven pattern of criss-crossing coloured stripes, traditionally associated with Scottish clans, or fabric with this pattern.
"He wore a kilt in his family's tartan."
"The scarf had a red-and-green tartan design."
adj
1
Made of, or patterned like, tartan.
"She bought a tartan blanket for the picnic."
How to Use Tartan
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe classic Scottish plaid pattern, or fabric/clothing made with it.
Common pairings
tartan kilt
clan tartan
tartan pattern
Word Forms
more tartan comparative, tartaned past tense, tartans plural, tartans singular, most tartan superlative
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Etymology
From Scots tartan, likely from an Old French word for a cloth mixed from wool and cotton or linen; some scholars instead trace it to a Medieval Latin word for fabric imported from "Tartary" (Central Asia).