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

On Saturday and Sunday, events are spread out at both Donnelly Park, where visitors can see a tartan parade and plenty of entertainment, and Elizabeth Evans Park, where the Highland athletics take place and the City of Mount Dora Pipe Band performs. —Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2025

My personality is colorful enough without tartans; let the suit merely contain it. —Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025

However, the package art reminiscent of a Scottish tartan could be a clue. —Emily Price, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

For the walkabout, Charlotte wore a blue coat dress embroidered with a tartan pattern, navy tights and black Mary Jane pumps. —Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024

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
• quartan
• 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