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⇱ tartan - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

tartan

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UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈtɑːrtən/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈtɑrtən/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(tär′tn)


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
tar•tan /ˈtɑrtən/USA pronunciation   n. [uncountable]
  1. Textilesa woolen cloth woven with stripes of different colors and widths crossing at right angles, worn chiefly by the Scottish Highlanders, each clan having its own distinctive pattern.

adj. 
  1. Textiles, Clothingof, resembling, or made of tartan.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
tar•tan  (tär′tn),USA pronunciation n. 
  1. Textilesa woolen or worsted cloth woven with stripes of different colors and widths crossing at right angles, worn chiefly by the Scottish Highlanders, each clan having its own distinctive plaid.
  2. Textiles, Clothinga design of such a plaid known by the name of the clan wearing it.
  3. Textiles, Clothingany plaid.

adj. 
  1. Textiles, Clothingof, pertaining to, or resembling tartan.
  2. Textiles, Clothingmade of tartan.
  • Middle French tertaine (Old French tiretaine) linsey-woolsey
  • variant of tertane 1490–1500

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
tartan /ˈtɑːtən/ n
    • a design of straight lines, crossing at right angles to give a chequered appearance, esp the distinctive design or designs associated with each Scottish clan
    • (as modifier): a tartan kilt
  2. a woollen fabric or garment with this design
Etymology: 16th Century: perhaps from Old French tertaine linsey-woolsey, from Old Spanish tiritaña a fine silk fabric, from tiritar to rustleˈtartaned adj
'tartan' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
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