cardigan

¹ American  

[kahr-di-guhn] / ˈkɑr dɪ gən /

noun

1. a usually collarless knitted sweater or jacket that opens down the front.

---

Cardigan ² American  

[kahr-di-guhn] / ˈkɑr dɪ gən /

noun

1. Cardiganshire.

2. one of a variety of Welsh corgi having a long tail.

---

Cardigan ¹ British  

/ ˈkɑːdɪɡən /

noun

1. the larger variety of corgi, having a long tail

---

Cardigan ² British  

/ ˈkɑːdɪɡən /

noun

1. 7th Earl of, title of James Thomas Brudenell. 1797–1868, British cavalry officer. He led the charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava (1854) during the Crimean War.

---

cardigan ³ British  

/ ˈkɑːdɪɡən /

noun

1. a knitted jacket or sweater with buttons up the front

---

Etymology

Origin of cardigan

First recorded in 1865–70; named after J. T. Brudnell, 7th Earl of Cardigan (1797–1868), British cavalryman of Crimean War fame

Explanation

A cardigan is a sweater that opens in front. Your favorite cardigan might have pearl buttons and pockets. Unlike a sweater that you pull on over your head, a cardigan is shrugged on over the shoulders and buttons, zips, or snaps up the front — or is worn open, with no fasteners at all. During the Crimean War in the 1800s, English general James Thomas Brudenell's troops wore jackets that opened in front, and since he was the 7th Earl of Cardigan, these garments — and future open-front sweaters — were known as cardigans.

Example Sentences

Sims, wearing a gray cardigan and a large hair clip, told AFP she had particularly wanted Trump to deliver on his promises to address affordability issues.

From Barron's • Jan. 16, 2026

That anxiety fits Philadelphia like a cozy wool cardigan.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 12, 2026

In true rom-com fashion, the longtime Swiftie wore a Lover cardigan.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 5, 2025

He wore cardigan sweaters, carried his own luggage on Air Force One and prohibited the presidential anthem Hail to the Chief being played when he entered the room.

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2024

She could hear her mother saying, “She is fond of cooking, and she can knit extremely well. Within a week she finished this cardigan I am wearing.”

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri