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

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Etymology

Origin of tunic

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

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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

Before the civil ceremony, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, “wearing the field-gray tunic of a Second World War Nazi officer, was not recognized” and prevented from entering the town hall, Norman wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 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

Josefina Baillères, a finalist in the jewelry category who took home the award later that night, wore a simple mesh tunic.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 9, 2026

W. H. Auden once wrote of a miserable Roman soldier guarding a cold, rain-soaked wall in northern Europe, mentioning "lice in my tunic and a cold in my nose."

From Science Daily ● Dec. 21, 2025

I notice that the edge of my tunic sleeve is wrinkled, and I smooth it carefully.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

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

Delpierre marvels at the thousands of garments, ranging from vests and tunics to dresses and leotards displayed in a large warehouse near Geneva.

From Barron's ● Feb. 12, 2026

Like the dancers, both Hawk and West wore Russian-inspired fur hats, tunics and baggy red pants.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 22, 2025

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

Knight after knight, clad in beautiful tunics of green and red and blue, helms shining, swords drawn, are sinking into the sea.

From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz

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Related Words

• blouse
• coat
• jacket
• robe

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