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 masked person, carrying a distinctive blue plaid backpack, was last seen ducking into the SEPTA metro train’s Suburban Station. — David K. Li, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2026

The Clueless Capsule Kit will feature Cher’s infamous yellow-plaid set, layered tops, button-front skirts, workout wear and overalls inspired by Tai. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026

For a more deliberately oversized take, try balancing baggy denim with a similarly generous poplin or plaid shirt. — Christina Holevas, Vogue, 18 Aug. 2026

Leaning even more into the vintage patterns and textiles that shaped her inaugural capsule, the designer particularly emphasized florals applied in repeating motifs, geometric stripes, plaids, and checkered prints. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 11 Aug. 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