tattered

adjective

tat·​tered ˈta-tərd How to pronounce tattered (audio)
1
: torn into shreds : ragged
a tattered flag
2
a
: broken down : dilapidated
decaying houses along tattered paved streetsP. B. Martin
b
: being in a shattered condition
led their tattered party to victory
3
: wearing ragged clothes
a tattered barefoot boy

Examples of tattered in a Sentence

a pile of old tattered books arrived at the shelter tattered and exhausted
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The archangel of trendy-casual walkaroundfits (new word, please spread around) just stepped out in hip-hugging bootcut jeans, a loose and intentionally tattered white T-shirt, a gold pendant necklace, and dark sunglasses, an easy all-American look for a morning on the go. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2025 Wallen then stumbles to his feet in the middle of the road, as rain pours down, with close-up images showing Wallen in tattered clothes and covered in scrapes and cuts. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 1 Oct. 2025 Inflation remains stubbornly high and the economic outlook subdued, frustrating efforts to repair tattered public services and ease the cost of living. Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025 In the artwork, the 29-year-old is wearing a tattered white gown and a bright yellow parachute that is caught in a tree with a serene, blue sky in the background. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tattered

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of tattered was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tattered. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

tattered

adjective
tat·​tered ˈtat-ərd How to pronounce tattered (audio)
1
: wearing ragged clothes
a tattered barefoot child
2
: torn in shreds : ragged
a tattered flag

More from Merriam-Webster on tattered

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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