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 adjoining bathroom maintains its original cementina floor tiles and is finished in a pink concrete-resin playing off the existing terra-cotta tones. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2026

Avoid overwatering and use clay or terra-cotta which helps keep soil on the dry side. —Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 31 Jan. 2026

The four-story, terra-cotta-colored building was built by Boston architect William Gibbons Preston, who also built the original DeSoto Hotel in Savannah and the Volunteer Guards Armory, which now houses the Savannah College of Art & Design’s Poetter Hall on Bull Street. —Jim Halley, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 2026

While lamps with chrome or brass finishes serve as radiant and eye-catching accents, those made with marble, terra-cotta, or travertine can add texture to a sleek space. —Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 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"