terra-cotta

noun

ter·​ra-cot·​ta ˌter-ə-ˈkä-tə 

often attributive

1

: a glazed or unglazed fired clay used especially for statuettes and vases and architectural purposes (as for roofing, facing, and relief ornamentation)

also : something made of this material

2

: a brownish orange

Examples of terra-cotta in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the late twentieth century, fire agencies urged homeowners to replace flammable wooden shingles with alternatives such as Spanish tiles, which are made from non-combustible terra-cotta. —Ingfei Chen, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2025

From handmade terra-cotta pumpkin lanterns to spooky ghost cloches, no decor detail was overlooked. —Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Oct. 2025

The hotel’s seven rooms, arranged around the central patio, have terra-cotta tile floors, handsome dark wooden furniture, and a variety of unique wall art. —Sarah Buder, AFAR Media, 8 Oct. 2025

Toasty makeup is characterized by warm, autumnal shades (think caramel, terra-cotta, and dusty rose) and soft, golden shimmer effects. —Grace McCarty, Glamour, 23 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian terra cotta, literally, baked earth

First Known Use

1722, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for terra-cotta

• biota
• iota
• lakota
• nonquota
• ricotta
• chota
• cota
• quota

Kids Definition

terra-cotta

noun

ter·​ra-cot·​ta

ˌter-ə-ˈkät-ə

plural terra-cottas

1

: a glazed or unglazed baked clay used for pottery, statues, and building materials

also : something made of this material

2

: a brownish orange

Etymology

from Italian terra cotta, literally "baked earth," derived from Latin terra "earth" and Latin coquere "to cook"