Maltese

noun

Mal·​tese mȯl-ˈtēz How to pronounce Maltese (audio)
-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

Illustration of maltese
  • Maltese 3

Examples of Maltese in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For the first time in 19 years, just two of us and our 12-pound Maltese Shih Tzu will be rattling around inside our family home. Don Riddell, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2025 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 By the time Lamb Chop took home the grand prize, the 12-pound Maltese was an advocate for Bailing Out Benji, a nonprofit dedicated to helping puppy mill rescues. Kelli Bender, People.com, 17 July 2025 Courtesy Sophia Maltese All five boroughs of New York City had been placed under a flash flood warning Monday evening. Phil Helsel, NBC news, 15 July 2025 But your eyes will invariably be drawn to the spectacle of a Tourbillon at 6 o’clock, caged within a polished Maltese Cross frame under a horizontal bridge. Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 14 July 2025 The Shakespeare revival, complete with original score by Matt Maltese, plays Dec. 8, 2025-Jan. 17, 2026. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 July 2025 Kathy Maltese of Aurora and her husband Tony said the parade is always on their Fourth of July to-do list. David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Maltese was in 1615

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Cite this Entry

“Maltese.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Maltese. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

Maltese

noun
Mal·​tese mȯl-ˈtēz How to pronounce Maltese (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on Maltese

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