Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

kirtle

noun
kir·​tle | \ ˈkər-tᵊl How to pronounce kirtle (audio) \

Definition of kirtle

1 : a long gown or dress worn by women
2 : a tunic or coat worn by men especially in the Middle Ages

First Known Use of kirtle

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for kirtle

Middle English kirtel, from Old English cyrtel, from Old English *curt short, from Latin curtus mutilated, curtailed — more at shear

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about kirtle

Statistics for kirtle

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for kirtle

The first known use of kirtle was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

More from Merriam-Webster on kirtle

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with kirtle

Comments on kirtle

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

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

nonpareil

Listen to the pronounciation of nonpareil

having no equal

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Latin Quiz

  • roman forum
  • Which of the following months comes from a Latin word for “ten”?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

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