tattered

[tat-erd]

adjective

1. torn to tatters; tatter; ragged.

   a tattered flag.

2. wearing ragged clothing.

   a tattered old man.

tattered

/ ˈtætəd /

adjective

1. ragged or worn

   a tattered old book

2. wearing ragged or torn clothing

   tattered refugees

3. damaged, defeated, or in disarray

   he believes he can bring the tattered party together

Other Word Forms

• untattered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tattered¹

1300–50; Middle English; tatter ¹ (noun), -ed ³

Example Sentences

With a pot of glue, a blade and a keen eye, Manal al-Saadani repairs tattered banknotes -- a necessity in the Gaza Strip, where the cash in circulation is wearing out.

Read more on Barron's

Scattered in the dirt around the opening of the well were tattered clothes left behind after bodies had been pulled out.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Her tattered dress was no match for the blustery winds at sea.

Read more on Literature

The couch was tattered and stained, with stuffing poking out of the cushions.

Read more on Literature

Over tattered drum and bass patterns, retro-futuristic crescendos and ephemeral melodies, Twigs attempts to bottle the way dance music makes her feel.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• battered 
• dilapidated 
• frayed 
• ripped 
• shabby 
• threadbare 
• torn