terra-cotta

noun

ter·​ra-cot·​ta ˌter-ə-ˈkä-tə 

often attributive

1

: a glazed or unglazed fired clay used especially for statuettes and vases and architectural purposes (as for roofing, facing, and relief ornamentation)

also : something made of this material

2

: a brownish orange

Examples of terra-cotta in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The property is full of nods from the Napoleon III-era Second Empire style, with torsade columns, muted greens, terra-cotta touches, and stonework abound. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2026

Young people walked freely among the terra-cotta buildings and mango trees, but there were military posts at the gates. — Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

The modern kitchen is loaded with storage, including some secret spots in the butcher-block peninsula, and the bathroom’s terra-cotta tiling is a nice touch. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 27 July 2026

Shag carpet covered original terra-cotta floors, high-gloss paint coated nearly every wooden surface and overgrown weeds crowded the yard. — R. Daniel Foster, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian terra cotta, literally, baked earth

First Known Use

1722, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for terra-cotta

• biota
• iota
• lakota
• nonquota
• ricotta
• chota
• cota
• quota

Kids Definition

terra-cotta

noun

ter·​ra-cot·​ta

ˌter-ə-ˈkät-ə

plural terra-cottas

1

: a glazed or unglazed baked clay used for pottery, statues, and building materials

also : something made of this material

2

: a brownish orange

Etymology

from Italian terra cotta, literally "baked earth," derived from Latin terra "earth" and Latin coquere "to cook"