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

Suits that do sell tend to be formal, many in navy or a light monochrome for summer, and tuxedos, whereas 10 years ago, chalk stripes and Glen plaid were popular. — David Moin, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026

Go for a sleek, all-black look or mix in some patterns like plaid or floral to give it a little more edge. — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 29 Sep. 2026

The collection features plaid and floral dresses for girls and toddlers that mirror the line’s staples. — Angela Tafoya, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2026

However, for a more understated, trendy look, the Tankaneo Cropped Trench is a sleek sightseeing layer, and the pop of plaid along the sleeves and hood will have all eyes on you. — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 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