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

Checks and tartan were also abundant at Pitti Uomo earlier this month. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 9 Feb. 2026

The classic tartan print is a timeless pattern, so plan to keep this set for many more winters. —John Monaco, InStyle, 7 Feb. 2026

The holiday offering featured a Black Watch shirt jacket, a high-pile fleece jacket, bear sweaters, a wool-cashmere tartan sport coat, velvet pants and cashmere turtlenecks. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 6 Feb. 2026

What more than tartan can identify the royal family stylistically? —Laura Scafati, Vanity Fair, 6 Feb. 2026

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