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

Despite Sarah’s flapping her cardigan in the air like a hungover color-guard girl at a homecoming parade, the hapless Irish naval men sent to save her remained beyond the bobbing waves. — Claire Carusillo, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Grandma’s white cardigan bloomed like a daisy against the green. — Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026

In its early years, the owner, Sweetu Patel, stocked the basement-level store with toggle coats and Danish cardigans. — New York Times, 31 July 2026

Dress them up with a button-down shirt or silky camisole, or wear them casually with a simple tank and cardigan. — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 30 July 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