plaid

noun \ ˈplad \

|Updated on: 9 Jun 2018

Examples: plaid in a Sentence

Definition of plaid

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 a : tartan 1

b : a pattern of unevenly spaced repeated stripes crossing at right angles

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plaid

adjective

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plaided

play \ˈpla-dəd\ adjective

See plaid defined for English-language learners

See plaid defined for kids

Examples of plaid in a Sentence

She likes to wear plaids.

Recent Examples of plaid from the Web

The plaid Airy shirt and polyester and linen tee fit great, though neither really stands out from the pack.

— ariella gintzler, Outside Online, "Testing Backcountry.com’s New Camping Gear," 1 June 2018
Clueless-esque plaid outfits abound, adding a charming throwback vibe.

— tamar herman, Billboard, "Loona yyxy Teams Up With Grimes For Bouncy New Track 'Love4eva': Watch," 30 May 2018
The show opened on a creative high note with Owen Zhong, whose capsule collection included an enormous hoodie-meets-puffer jacket adorned with multiple pompoms and an oversized plaid and printed jacket with two face masks attached to each shoulder.

— kristin larson, chicagotribune.com, "Our favorite looks from the SAIC fashion show," 23 May 2018
Nothin’ but a ‘beach’ thang Cruise over to North Avenue Beach (1600 N. Lake Shore Drive) on Saturday for a '90s beach party, no mini-skirt or plaid required.

— audrey gorden, RedEye Chicago, "5 things to do in Chicago this weekend," 23 June 2017
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller strutted his stuff in a red, white and blue plaid suit with a straw hat.

— bailey loosemore, The Courier-Journal, "Celebs and fashion flood Churchill Downs despite record rain at Kentucky Derby," 5 May 2018
Tennessee, her son with husband Jim Toth, looked dapper as well, dressed in a blue and white plaid shirt and blue jeans.

— mike miller, PEOPLE.com, "Reese Witherspoon Celebrates 42nd Birthday with Son Tennessee: 'Cake for Breakfast Anyone?'," 22 Mar. 2018
The tops and bottoms sport contrasting colors, with the blue plaid, lime and turquoise hues perfect for the tropics.

— jeanne cooper, San Francisco Chronicle, "Ultimate beach mat no longer a sand magnet," 7 Mar. 2018
If street style is any indication, there's a lot more where these plaids came from—so stock up now.

— ana colon, Glamour, "How to Shop the Spring 2018 Plaid Comeback Fashion People Are Obsessed With," 22 Feb. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of plaid

Scottish Gaelic plaide

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1512

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Clothing Terms

babushka, brogue, bumbershoot, cravat, dishabille, furbelow, layette, raiment, spectator

PLAID Defined for English Language Learners

plaid

noun

Definition of plaid for English Language Learners

: a pattern on cloth of stripes with different widths that cross each other to form squares
plaids : clothes with plaid patterns
: a woolen cloth with a plaid pattern that is worn over the shoulder as part of the Scottish national costume