noun
tartan
TAHTN
Tartan (noun) means a woven pattern of criss-crossing coloured stripes, traditionally associated with Scottish clans, or fabric with this pattern. Example: “He wore a kilt in his family's tartan.”
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- tartans
- Third person singular
- tartans
- Past tense
- tartaned
- Comparative
- more tartan
- Superlative
- most tartan
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He wore a kilt in his family's _____.
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).
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for tartan
See all rhymes for tartan →Frequently asked questions
What does “tartan” mean?
The word “tartan” means a woven pattern of criss-crossing coloured stripes, traditionally associated with Scottish clans, or fabric with this pattern. In plain terms, the classic Scottish plaid pattern, or fabric/clothing made with it.
How do you pronounce “tartan”?
“Tartan” is pronounced TAHTN (/ˈtɑɹtn̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “tartan” in a sentence?
Here is “tartan” used in a sentence: “He wore a kilt in his family's tartan.”
What part of speech is “tartan”?
Depending on how it is used, “tartan” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “tartan” come from?
The word “tartan” comes from Medieval Latin. 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).
How many meanings does “tartan” have?
“Tartan” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a woven pattern of criss-crossing coloured stripes, traditionally associated with Scottish clans, or fabric with this pattern.
