To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Mal·tese | \ mȯl-ˈtēz 
, -ˈtēs \
, -ˈtēs \ plural Maltese
Definition of 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
Illustration of Maltese
Maltese 3
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on Maltese
What made you want to look up Maltese? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Words for Summer: A Quiz
- Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- Words for Summer: A Quiz
Test your knowledge of words related to the season of longer days and vacations.
Take the quiz - A More Exception(al) Quiz
Which of these things doesn't belong?
Take the quiz - Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz - Dictionary Devil
The dictionary has been scrambled—can you put it back together?
Play the game
Share Maltese
Time Traveler for Maltese
The first known use of Maltese was in 1615
See more words from the same year