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

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

And I had this cardigan on, which was full of mohair, so it was in my throat, in my nose, in my eyes, and it started to affect my voice.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 15, 2025

Other highlights from the show included Ross's leopard cardigan, which Balding likened to a "Flintstones outfit".

From BBC • Oct. 16, 2025

In his first televised fireside chat, he wore a cardigan sweater and encouraged Americans to conserve energy during the winter by keeping their thermostats at 65 degrees in the daytime and 55 degrees at night.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2024

But just as we’re leaving English, she tugs the sleeve of my cardigan.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli