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• Tallis
  Tallis

  noun

  Thomas, c1505–85, English organist and composer, especially of church music.
• tallis
  tallis

  noun

  Judaism a fringed shawl worn by Jewish men during morning prayers

Tallis

American  

[tal-is] / ˈtæl ɪs /

Or Tallys,

noun

1. Thomas, c1505–85, English organist and composer, especially of church music.

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Tallis ¹ British  

/ ˈtælɪs /

noun

1. Thomas. ?1505–85, English composer and organist; noted for his music for the Anglican liturgy

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tallis ² British  

/ ˈtɑlis, tɑˈlit /

noun

1. Judaism a fringed shawl worn by Jewish men during morning prayers

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Etymology

Origin of tallis

from Hebrew, literally: a cover

Example Sentences

In the Sistine Chapel there was a serene moment with the singing of a piece by the English Catholic composer Thomas Tallis.

From BBC • Oct. 23, 2025

“We started going to more and more events there and we fell in love with the community and the funky vibe,” Tallis says.

From Seattle Times • May 30, 2024

I think Byrd and Tallis knew people who were arrested, and I think there were some composers for one reason or another during this time arrested.

From New York Times • Jul. 4, 2023

Wrexham had an early penalty shout waved away by referee Scott Tallis for what appeared to be a shove on Mullin, but the first half at the Racecourse Ground was largely a cagey affair.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2023

She could still hear his voice, the way he said Tallis, turning it into a girl’s name.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan