terracotta

American  

[ter-uh-kot-uh] / ˈtɛr əˈkɒt ə /

Or terra-cotta terra cotta

noun

1. a hard, fired clay, brownish-red in color when unglazed, that is used for architectural ornaments and facings, structural units, pottery, and as a material for sculpture.

2. something made of terracotta.

3. a brownish-orange color like that of unglazed terracotta.

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adjective

1. made of or having the color of terracotta.

terracotta British  

/ ˌtɛrəˈkɒtə /

noun

1. a hard unglazed brownish-red earthenware, or the clay from which it is made

2. something made of terracotta, such as a sculpture

3. a strong reddish-brown to brownish-orange colour

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adjective

1. made of terracotta

   a terracotta urn

2. of the colour terracotta

   a terracotta carpet

Etymology

Origin of terracotta

First recorded in 1715–25; from Italian: literally, “baked earth, cooked earth,” from Latin terra cocta; see origin at thirsty, cook ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

“That is the goddess Cybele—our most precious object in the Myrmekion collection,” said Tomasz Dziurdzik, chief curator of the ancient art collection at the National Museum in Warsaw, pointing to a terracotta figurine.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

The center would be a neighbor to Camarillo’s house in Victoria Ranch, a family-friendly area with beige stucco homes topped with terracotta tile roofs.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

Earlier on Friday, designer Alessandro Sartori invited buyers and journalists into Zegna's personal wardrobe, with structured jackets paired with flowing trousers in natural green and terracotta, and innovative fabrics.

From Barron's • Jan. 16, 2026

It had been buried in Ampthill Park inside a terracotta casket and sealed with wax to evade metal detectors.

From BBC • Nov. 28, 2025

Above them, the evening sky glowed a murky terracotta, the same colour as the building’s walls.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan