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 bathroom are terra-cotta tiles and rainforest showers. —Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 29 May 2025

Purple or terra-cotta could make some more sophisticated pairings here, or a light pink could make a darling decor set in a child’s bedroom (or yours!). —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 25 May 2025

Gaines also makes sure to use terra-cotta tiles that still feel semi-modern rather than dated. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 May 2025

Alwyn Court was built in the early 1900s in a French Renaissance style and clad with elaborate terra-cotta ornamentation. —Vivian Marino, New York Times, 20 May 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"