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• cardigan
  cardigan

  noun

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

  noun

  Cardiganshire.

cardigan

¹ American  

[kahr-di-guhn] / ˈkɑr dɪ gən /

noun

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

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Cardigan ² American  

[kahr-di-guhn] / ˈkɑr dɪ gən /

noun

1. Cardiganshire.

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

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Cardigan ¹ British  

/ ˈkɑːdɪɡən /

noun

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

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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.

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cardigan ³ British  

/ ˈkɑːdɪɡən /

noun

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

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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

Nothing says “I’m building my brand” like a signature scent from Loewe or a standout patchwork cardigan from indie-darling brand Hades.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

Max Arias was decked out in a purple letterman’s cardigan emblazoned with “99,” for Service Employees International Union Local 99.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

Wednesday's Instagram post showed a picture of Van Der Beek wearing a white top and cardigan.

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

When Harriet tried to bring down Rachel during a dramatic round table, she wore a red cardigan and a red scarf.

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026

She’s wearing jeans and a serious brown cardigan with a white shirt underneath, the tips of the collar fanned out like crisp paper airplanes heading opposite directions.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti