tunic

noun

tu·​nic ˈtü-nik 

ˈtyü-

1

a

: a simple slip-on garment made with or without sleeves and usually knee-length or longer, belted at the waist, and worn as an under or outer garment by men and women of ancient Greece and Rome

b

: surcoat

2

a

: a hip-length or longer blouse or jacket

b

: a short overskirt

3

: a long usually plain close-fitting jacket with high collar worn especially as part of a uniform

4

: tunicle

5

: an enclosing or covering membrane or tissue

the tunic of a seed

Examples of tunic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

So, a longer option like this tunic top that covers our bottoms can offer a cozier feel than other options. —Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024

The researchers used advanced techniques, including gas chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, to determine what the tunic was made from. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

Tunic dress in fall shade: on sale for $31.18 Original price: $52.99 Buy this flowy tunic dress in caramel for a romantic fall look. —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 9 Oct. 2024

And for something that offers a little more warmth on those cooler, fall days, this $25 long-sleeve tunic dress from Ofefan will surely turn heads and keep your limbs warm. —Jen Cason, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Old English tunice, from Latin tunica, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew kuttōneth coat

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

tunic

noun

tu·​nic ˈt(y)ü-nik 

1

: a usually belted knee-length garment worn by ancient Greeks and Romans

2

: a shirt or jacket reaching to or just below the hips

Medical Definition

tunic

noun

tu·​nic ˈt(y)ü-nik 

: an enclosing or covering membrane or tissue : tunica

the tunics of the eye