Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Maltese

noun Mal·tese \ mȯl-ˈtēz , -ˈtēs \

Definition of Maltese

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

See Maltese defined for kids

Illustration of maltese

illustration of maltese

First Known Use of maltese

1615

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Learn More about maltese

  1. See words that rhyme with Maltese

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up Maltese? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

gaffer

play

a lighting electrician on a movie set

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  2. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  3. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

  4. emolument 'the returns arising from office or employment usually in the form of compensation or perquisites'

  5. troll 'to harass, criticize, or antagonize especially by disparaging or mocking public statements'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Maltese

Test Your Vocabulary

The Eponym Quiz

  • rubens-painting
  • Which is the best synonym of bowdlerize?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games