plaid

noun

Synonyms of plaidnext
1
: a rectangular length of tartan worn over the left shoulder as part of the Scottish national costume
2
a
: a twilled woolen fabric with a tartan pattern
b
: a fabric with a pattern of tartan or an imitation of tartan
3
b
: a pattern of unevenly spaced repeated stripes crossing at right angles
plaid adjective
plaided adjective

Examples of plaid in a Sentence

She likes to wear plaids.
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.
These square nails are accented with a peachy pink cat-eye plaid and 3D silver studs. Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 23 Feb. 2026 Lean into traditional heritage plaids and tartans for a different take on the aesthetic. Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 19 Feb. 2026 Donegal sweaters made from merino wool from Ireland, herringbone sack suits, plaid cashmere CPO overshirts and pinstripe Oxford shirts complement the graphic Ts, classic hoodies and five-pocket jeans. David Moin, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026 Yet, ironically, those visual flourishes — the plaid of a sportscoat, the myriad orange folds of a 1973 turtleneck — often prove more compelling than the drama itself. Ben Croll, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plaid

Word History

Etymology

Scottish Gaelic plaide

First Known Use

1512, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of plaid was in 1512

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plaid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plaid. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

plaid

noun
1
: a rectangular length of tartan worn over the shoulder as part of the Scottish national costume
2
: a fabric with a tartan pattern
3
b
: a pattern of unevenly spaced repeated stripes crossing at right angles
plaid adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on plaid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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