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

Many fall dresses feature the classic buffalo check and tartan, but some styles now boast contemporary details such as buckles and jumper silhouettes. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026

At the opening of Guest in Residence’s newest NYC location, Hadid wore a brown leather jacket with a fringe-trim tartan wrap skirt, and the pieces perfectly balanced one another. — Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 4 Nov. 2026

Lazovick soon emerged in the guise of a Sex Pistol, wearing a choppy blond wig and black tartan pants, and holding an electric guitar over his shoulder like a bindle. — Nolan Kelly, Artforum, 26 Oct. 2026

The moody interiors conceived by architect Sylvestre Murigneux combine warm alpine codes such as tartan textiles, velvet and wooden accents with Asian influences. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026

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
• 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