terra-cotta

noun

ter·​ra-cot·​ta ˌter-ə-ˈkä-tə 

often attributive

1

: a glazed or unglazed fired clay used especially for statuettes and vases and architectural purposes (as for roofing, facing, and relief ornamentation)

also : something made of this material

2

: a brownish orange

Examples of terra-cotta in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Shag carpet covered original terra-cotta floors, high-gloss paint coated nearly every wooden surface and overgrown weeds crowded the yard. — R. Daniel Foster, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026

DeRosa highlighted aubergine, rust, terra-cotta, burgundy, and oxidized earth tones. — Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 July 2026

The façade is partially clad in white terra-cotta, an old-fashioned material that speaks to the neighborhood’s vintage architecture, but is used here in a contemporary way. — Fred Albert, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

They're envisioned by architect Charles Zana, and radiate understated elegance through the use of natural materials such as terra-cotta tiles, linen fabrics, and handcrafted ceramics that create an inviting atmosphere. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian terra cotta, literally, baked earth

First Known Use

1722, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for terra-cotta

• biota
• iota
• lakota
• nonquota
• ricotta
• chota
• cota
• quota

Kids Definition

terra-cotta

noun

ter·​ra-cot·​ta

ˌter-ə-ˈkät-ə

plural terra-cottas

1

: a glazed or unglazed baked clay used for pottery, statues, and building materials

also : something made of this material

2

: a brownish orange

Etymology

from Italian terra cotta, literally "baked earth," derived from Latin terra "earth" and Latin coquere "to cook"