plaid

noun

ˈplad 

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 sense 1

b

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

plaid adjective

plaided

ˈpla-dəd 

adjective

Examples of plaid in a Sentence

She likes to wear plaids.

Recent Examples on the Web

The clothing includes Donegal wools, awning stripes, statement plaids and houndstooths. — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026

Guest rooms have a modern lodge appeal, wood and plaid throws, a simple desk for the unavoidable work check-in, and an emphasis on eco-awareness, like WinkBed mattresses and natural bath products from EO Essential Oils. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026

The stays showcase cozy design with contemporary wallpaper prints, surprisingly neutral plaid furniture, and ultrasoft wool bed covers. — Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 27 Oct. 2026

Thiele, 29, wore a tiny red plaid skirt with feather trim and a matching red plaid layer under his tank top. — Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Scottish Gaelic plaide

First Known Use

1512, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing plaid

• buffalo plaid
• glen plaid

Rhymes for plaid

• ad
• add
• bad
• brad
• cad
• clad
• dad
• fad
• gad
• glad
• grad
• had

Kids Definition

plaid

noun

ˈplad 

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

a

: tartan sense 1

b

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

plaid adjective