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

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

From BBC

"There was Stewart tartan everywhere, the waistcoats, kilts and the dresses."

From BBC

There, Fear and Gibson are planning a Scottish-themed medley in honour of his roots – tartan costumes and all.

From BBC

“Everything else is packed in a box, and those boxes are made custom for me here in America. So that’s a major design change for me. But they’re beautiful tartan boxes.”

From MarketWatch

“Our own personal holiday theme this year is velvet and bows or tartan and tinsel,” Scott added before allowing Brown to get to work.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• jumble
• mishmash
• plaid