Maltese

noun

Mal·​tese mȯl-ˈtēz 

-ˈtēs

plural Maltese

1

: a native or inhabitant of Malta

2

: the Semitic language of the Maltese people

3

: any of a breed of toy dogs with a long silky white coat, a black nose, and very dark eyes

Maltese adjective

Illustration of Maltese

• Maltese 3

Examples of Maltese in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The average lifespan for the spunky toy breed, Maltese is 15 years. — Katelyn Chef, Martha Stewart, 12 Apr. 2026

Investigators are searching for a Maltese Shih Tzu Poodle mix puppy that was stolen from a Denver metro area pet store last month. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 12 Feb. 2026

Finalists includes an Afghan hound named Zaida, a Lhasa apso called JJ, a Maltese named Cookie and an old English sheepdog dubbed Graham. — Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026

Hackman’s will left all of his assets and $80 million fortune to Arakawa, despite sharing three adult children with late ex-wife, Faye Maltese. — Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 19 Jan. 2026

Deng himself has raised more than a dozen pets – mostly dogs -- over the years, including Ragdolls, British Shorthairs, Devon Rexes, Persians, Akitas, Giant Poodles, and his favorite, a Maltese. — Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Maltese

• Maltese cross

Rhymes for Maltese

• agrees
• appease
• bougies
• burmese
• chemise
• chickpeas
• chinese
• cowpeas
• curies
• decrees
• degrees
• disease

Kids Definition

Maltese

noun

Mal·​tese mȯl-ˈtēz 

plural Maltese

1

: a person born or living in Malta

2

: the Semitic language of the Maltese people

3

: any of a breed of toy dogs with a long silky white coat, a black nose, and dark eyes

Maltese adjective