cardigan

noun

car·​di·​gan ˈkär-di-gən 

: a usually collarless sweater or jacket that opens the full length of the center front

Examples of cardigan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Wear it comfortably with jeans, sweats, skirts, leggings, and under cardigans, sweaters, denim jackets, and more. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2026

Drape a cardigan over your purse to play into this seasonal style before the fall chill really kicks in. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 11 Sep. 2026

Always a staple on the runways and a heavy presence in street style ensembles, the cardigan defies the fashion cycle. — Camille Freestone, Glamour, 10 Sep. 2026

Clad in a gray cardigan, cropped jacket, collared blouse and blue jeans, Stone looked as if she were plucked straight from a fall fashion catalog. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

James Thomas Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan †1868 English soldier

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cardigan

noun

car·​di·​gan ˈkärd-i-gən 

: a usually collarless sweater opening down the front

Geographical Definition

Cardigan

geographical name

Car·​di·​gan ˈkär-di-gən 

variants or Cardiganshire

ˈkär-di-gən-ˌshir 

-shər

former county of western Wales; capital Aberystwyth