tartan

American  

[tahr-tn] / ˈtɑr tn /

noun

1. a woolen or worsted cloth woven with stripes of different colors and widths crossing at right angles, worn chiefly by the Scottish Highlanders, each clan having its own distinctive plaid.

2. a design of such a plaid known by the name of the clan wearing it.

3. any plaid.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling tartan.

2. made of tartan.

tartan ¹ British  

/ ˈtɑːtən /

noun

1. 1. a design of straight lines, crossing at right angles to give a chequered appearance, esp the distinctive design or designs associated with each Scottish clan

      the Buchanan tartan

   2. ( as modifier )

      a tartan kilt

2. a woollen fabric or garment with this design

3. Highland dress

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tartan ² British  

/ ˈtɑːtən /

noun

1. a single-masted vessel used in the Mediterranean, usually with a lateen sail

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Other Word Forms

• tartaned adjective

Etymology

Origin of tartan

1490–1500; variant of tertane < Middle French tertaine ( Old French tiretaine ) linsey-woolsey

Example Sentences

The Ramones had songs based on “Saturday Night,” and they dressed in the tartan plaids of Queens, which is the black leather jackets.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

William watched as his wife, Catherine, known as Kate, tried her hand at helping weave a two-mile-long tartan scarf at a mental health charity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

A new version would have more tartan than a shortbread factory.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

Meanwhile Vivienne Westwood featured tartan such as Bruce of Kinnaird in a number of her collections such as Anglomania.

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2026

This appearance of a second outlaw seemed to overwhelm Professor McGonagall, who staggered backward and fell into a nearby chair, clutching at the neck of her old tartan dressing gown.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

• jumble
• mishmash
• plaid