kilt

noun \ ˈkilt \

Updated on: 20 May 2018

Definition of kilt

1 : a knee-length pleated skirt usually of tartan worn by men in Scotland and by Scottish regiments in the British armies

2 : a garment that resembles a Scottish kilt

See kilt defined for English-language learners

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Recent Examples of kilt from the Web

But the Korafe are wearing their own authentic festive gear—just as a Scot might don his kilt for Hogmanay—made from pig horns, parrot feathers, and cassowary plumes.

— sophy roberts, Condé Nast Traveler, "Navigating Tradition and Tourism in Papua New Guinea," 3 May 2018
As the Chicago Police Bagpipes and Drums of the Emerald Society band emerged from a barn Sunday playing their signature instruments, they were followed by a group that helps produce their signature kilts.

— frank vaisvilas, Daily Southtown, "Just in time for spring, sheep lose their coats at Children's Farm in Palos," 1 May 2018
The 11 piece collection includes a sleeveless Tartan shift dress, a reworked leather biker jacket with Tartan sleeves, and a mini-kilt.

— liana satenstein, Marie Claire, "Karl Lagerfeld Releases Polished Punk Collection with Net-a-Porter," 4 Oct. 2013
Along with their brother and father, the HGTV stars wore kilts for their parents' vow renewal in Scotland last summer.

— jennifer aldrich, Country Living, "Everything We Know About Property Brothers' Drew Scott and Linda Phan's Wedding So Far," 18 Apr. 2018
For his gig in Scotland's biggest city on April 14, the rocker opted to don the traditional garb of the Highlands, trading in his printed slacks for an all-black fit complete with kilt, sporran and white knee socks.

— hilary hughes, Billboard, "Harry Styles Showed Scottish Fans Love By Wearing a Kilt in Glasgow," 15 Apr. 2018
And, of course, there were lots and lots of guys young and old in kilts.

— david frese, kansascity, "Oh, the things you’ll see on St. Patrick’s Day in Kansas City | The Kansas City Star," 17 Mar. 2018
San Francisco celebrated all things green — shamrocks, hats and kilts, but not the green that’s smoked — with its 167th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade Saturday, drawing thousands of spectators to Market Street.

— carolyne zinko, San Francisco Chronicle, "Everyone is Irish for San Francisco’s St. Patrick’s Day parade," 17 Mar. 2018
That's obviously a far cry from Tisci's preferred leather kilts and complex designs.

— jake woolf, GQ, "Burberry Announces Riccardo Tisci, Givenchy’s Former Golden Boy, as Its New Chief Creative Officer," 1 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kilt.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of kilt

circa 1730

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

kilt

verb

Definition of kilt

transitive verb

1 chiefly dialectal : to tuck up (something, such as a skirt)

2 : to equip with a kilt

intransitive verb

: to move nimbly

Origin and Etymology of kilt

Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse kjalta lap, fold of a gathered skirt

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

KILT Defined for English Language Learners

kilt

noun

Definition of kilt for English Language Learners

: a type of skirt traditionally worn by men in Scotland
: a woman's skirt that resembles a Scottish kilt

KILT Defined for Kids

kilt

noun \ ˈkilt \

Definition of kilt for Students

: a knee-length pleated skirt usually of tartan worn by men in Scotland

Learn More about kilt

See words that rhyme with kilt Spanish Central: Translation of kilt Nglish: Translation of kilt for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kilt

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kilt

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kilt

Definition of kilt for English Language Learners

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kilt

Definition of kilt for Students

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kilt

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