tattered

[tat-erd]

adjective

1. torn to tatters; tatter; ragged.

   a tattered flag.

2. wearing ragged clothing.

   a tattered old man.

tattered

/ ˈtætəd /

adjective

1. ragged or worn

   a tattered old book

2. wearing ragged or torn clothing

   tattered refugees

3. damaged, defeated, or in disarray

   he believes he can bring the tattered party together

Other Word Forms

• untattered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tattered¹

1300–50; Middle English; tatter ¹ (noun), -ed ³

Example Sentences

A hot late-summer breeze blows across a Burbank parking lot as Lorde sits beneath a tattered canopy outside the rehearsal studio where she’s preparing for her latest world tour.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It may turn out to be a slight overreach, given the existence of weirdo Republicans like Ted Cruz and Rand Paul who cling to the last tattered remnants of libertarian ideals.

Read more on Salon

The youngest of those players is 52 and has hasn’t played for a dozen seasons, giving the whole tableau the feel of a tattered and worn museum exhibition.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He’s a disheveled figure who drives around town in a tattered van and lives above the rare bookstore that he also happens to own.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Enter the fractured and tattered remains of the Democratic Party.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• battered 
• dilapidated 
• frayed 
• ripped 
• shabby 
• threadbare 
• torn