tartan

noun

tar·​tan ˈtär-tᵊn 

1

: a plaid textile design of Scottish origin consisting of stripes of varying width and color usually patterned to designate a distinctive clan

2

a

: a twilled woolen fabric with tartan design

b

: a fabric with tartan design

3

: a garment of tartan design

Examples of tartan in a Sentence

a kilt in the clan's tartan

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike the plaid shirts of the ‘90s, this season’s fashion week runways have elevated tartan to blazers, skirts, cocktail attire, and evening wear. —Clare Holden, Glamour, 6 Oct. 2025

Check out our top holiday decor picks below, with everything from tartan table settings to gingham ornaments and ribbons for your Christmas tree. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025

Attendees layered pleated tartan skirts over jeans. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2025

Originating in western Scotland, argyle was once the textile of kilts and highland regalia—an elevated, stylized cousin of tartan. —Minty Mellon, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from Middle French tiretaine linsey-woolsey

First Known Use

circa 1500, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tartan

• carton
• garten
• marten
• parton
• quartan
• spartan
• kindergarten

Kids Definition

tartan

noun

tar·​tan ˈtärt-ᵊn 

1

: a plaid textile design of Scottish origin

2

: a fabric or garment with tartan design