tartan

noun

tar·​tan ˈtär-tᵊn 

1

: a plaid textile design of Scottish origin consisting of stripes of varying width and color usually patterned to designate a distinctive clan

2

a

: a twilled woolen fabric with tartan design

b

: a fabric with tartan design

3

: a garment of tartan design

Examples of tartan in a Sentence

a kilt in the clan's tartan

Recent Examples on the Web

The bagpipes are skirling, the accordion swelling, and 200 people are executing dances of genuine technical difficulty, all in white-tie, tartan, and, crucially, flat shoes. — Katherine Pangonis, Air Mail, 3 Oct. 2026

The looks kicked off at the welcome party and rehearsal dinner with a vintage tartan Ralph Lauren dress paired with a burgundy Dries Van Noten coat. — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026

Chopova Lowensa styled a tartan plaid skirt over dark wash jeans. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026

The sport seats are clad in a modern interpretation of the distinctive tartan pattern of the GTI heritage. — New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from Middle French tiretaine linsey-woolsey

First Known Use

circa 1500, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tartan

• carton
• garten
• marten
• parton
• spartan
• kindergarten

Kids Definition

tartan

noun

tar·​tan ˈtärt-ᵊn 

1

: a plaid textile design of Scottish origin

2

: a fabric or garment with tartan design