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

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

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