tunic

American  

[too-nik, tyoo-] / ˈtu nɪk, ˈtju- /

noun

• tunics
  plural

1. Chiefly British. a coat worn as part of a military or other uniform.

2. a gownlike outer garment, with or without sleeves and sometimes belted, worn by the ancient Greeks and Romans.

3. a woman's upper garment, either loose or close-fitting and extending over the skirt to the hips or below.

4. a garment with a short skirt, worn by women for sports.

5. Ecclesiastical. a tunicle.

6. Anatomy, Zoology. any covering or investing membrane or part, as of an organ.

7. Botany. an integument, as that covering a seed.

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tunic British  

/ ˈtjuːnɪk /

noun

1. any of various hip-length or knee-length garments, such as the loose sleeveless garb worn in ancient Greece or Rome, the jacket of some soldiers, or a woman's hip-length garment, worn with a skirt or trousers

2. anatomy botany zoology a covering, lining, or enveloping membrane of an organ or part See also tunica

3. RC Church another word for tunicle

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• subtunic
  noun
• supertunic
  noun
• undertunic
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• tunics
  plural

Etymology

Origin of tunic

before 900; (< French tunique ) < Latin tunica; perhaps also continuing Old English tunece, tunica < Latin

Explanation

A tunic is a loose-fitting shirt that looks sort of like a long shirt or a short dress. For a fashionable summer look, you might pair trousers with a comfortable tunic that extends past your waist. The ancient Greeks and Romans were early fans of the tunic, and the loose-fitting garment remains popular in modern times. A tunic is popular wardrobe choice in hot, tropical regions because it's loose fitting and comfortable and helps you stay cool. Tunic can also refer to a membrane or tissue that covers something, like an organ or part of a plant. Some plants like tulips and onions have a protective tunic covering the outside of their bulb.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tunic tunics

In one, she stands in a blue tunic in the ornate courtyard of a temple, smiling gently at the camera.

From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026

“Fortunately he’s got his little tunic, so we don’t have to worry about his legs,” says Legacy Effects co-founder J. Alan Scott.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026

They focused on the Hungarian nationalist group Vitézi Rend, whose medal Gorka wore on a military tunic to Trump’s inaugural events.

From Salon ● Apr. 22, 2026

And I had to wear a tunic, which I put into “Garden State.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 20, 2026

He pulled a makeshift tunic of drakon leather over his shredded T-shirt, but it did nothing to keep out the chill.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

Their 1998 “Stromboli” collection revolved around a Christian theme, a Marian procession, and dresses, tunics and blouses featuring Marian imagery.

From Salon ● May 17, 2026

Compared to the resort-ready tunics and preppy Reva flats that embodied Tory 1.0 in the 2000s, Tory 2.0 has evolved into a “weirder,” more innovative version of itself.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 14, 2026

It, too, is a trove of exemplary works, from exquisite Raphael drawings to groovy 1970s plastic radios; Coptic tunics to Alexander McQueen couture gowns; vividly hued Islamic tiles to a bunch of grand English beds.

From New York Times ● May 13, 2024

Criticism this year has centered on the dresses and tunics to be worn by the performers, styled to resemble ancient Greek columns.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 14, 2024

“This is really happening, you guys,” I exclaimed to my sisters as we sat around our dining room table and passed the dresses and tunics around between us.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Related Words

• blouse
• coat
• jacket
• robe