tattered

adjective

tat·​tered ˈta-tərd 

1

: torn into shreds : ragged

a tattered flag

2

a

: broken down : dilapidated

… decaying houses along tattered paved streets.

—P. B. Martin

b

: being in a shattered condition

led their tattered party to victory

3

: wearing ragged clothes

a tattered barefoot boy

Synonyms of tattered

• ragged

Examples of tattered in a Sentence

a pile of old tattered books

arrived at the shelter tattered and exhausted

Recent Examples on the Web

At the No Doubt Experience in Las Vegas, an immersive pop-up staged by Vibee, a tattered itinerary from the band’s first tour lists a show at the Shark Club in February 1992. —Leena Tailor, Rolling Stone, 8 May 2026

The sweater now has a deep V-neck with stylishly tattered edges, which Andy pairs with a button-down shirt and jeans. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 3 May 2026

For Chicago, the shocking crimes are noteworthy contributors to its tattered national reputation — fair or not — for being unsafe and for criminal-justice policies perceived as being concerned more with the rights of those accused than the interests of those victimized. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026

Untrained soldiers were shoeless and wore tattered clothes. —Amanda Rosa updated April 28, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for tattered

• backscattered
• battered
• chattered
• clattered
• flattered
• mattered
• pattered
• scattered
• shattered
• spattered
• splattered

Kids Definition

tattered

adjective

tat·​tered ˈtat-ərd 

1

: wearing ragged clothes

a tattered barefoot child

2

: torn in shreds : ragged

a tattered flag