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

Patterns such as plaid and hues like magenta were a part of her arsenal. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 27 June 2025

While Kelce was dressed in a white polo shirt, Swift rocked a cropped plaid tank top with a matching skirt. —Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 24 June 2025

To complete the outfit, a tailored or oversized blazer (our pick is this classic plaid option from the Drop) and chunky slingback heels do the job, and do it well. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 20 June 2025

Acne Studios went all in on the pattern, styling a button-down shirt with a bubble skirt in a contrasting plaid print. —Kelsey Stewart, Refinery29, 19 June 2025

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