noun
terracotta
tehr-uh-KOT-uh
Terracotta (noun) means a hard, reddish-brown unglazed clay used for pottery, tiles, and building decoration. Example: “The garden was lined with terracotta pots.”
noun
1
A hard, reddish-brown unglazed clay used for pottery, tiles, and building decoration.
"The garden was lined with terracotta pots."
2
A warm reddish-brown colour resembling this material.
"She painted the kitchen walls a soft terracotta."
How to use terracotta
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBoth the reddish-brown baked clay material and the colour that resembles it.
Common pairings
terracotta pot
terracotta tiles
terracotta army
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Word forms
- Plural
- terracottas
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The garden was lined with _____ pots.
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian terra ("earth") + cotta ("baked") — literally "baked earth."
Rhymes for terracotta
See all rhymes for terracotta →Frequently asked questions
What does “terracotta” mean?
The word “terracotta” means a hard, reddish-brown unglazed clay used for pottery, tiles, and building decoration. In plain terms, both the reddish-brown baked clay material and the colour that resembles it.
How do you pronounce “terracotta”?
“Terracotta” is pronounced tehr-uh-KOT-uh (/ˌtɛɹ.əˈkɑt.ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “terracotta” in a sentence?
Here is “terracotta” used in a sentence: “The garden was lined with terracotta pots.”
What part of speech is “terracotta”?
“Terracotta” is a noun.
Where does the word “terracotta” come from?
The word “terracotta” comes from Italian. Borrowed from Italian terra ("earth") + cotta ("baked") — literally "baked earth.".
How many meanings does “terracotta” have?
“Terracotta” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hard, reddish-brown unglazed clay used for pottery, tiles, and building decoration.
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