tunic

noun

tu·​nic ˈtü-nik 

ˈtyü-

1

a

: a simple slip-on garment made with or without sleeves and usually knee-length or longer, belted at the waist, and worn as an under or outer garment by men and women of ancient Greece and Rome

b

: surcoat

2

a

: a hip-length or longer blouse or jacket

b

: a short overskirt

3

: a long usually plain close-fitting jacket with high collar worn especially as part of a uniform

4

: tunicle

5

: an enclosing or covering membrane or tissue

the tunic of a seed

Examples of tunic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Before then, as the exhibition shows, artists often portrayed themselves as St. Luke, the patron saint of painters, wearing a collarless tunic. —Dana Thomas, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025

Meanwhile, flowering branches are embroidered on pale sheer chiffon tunics in watery pastel tones. —Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 9 Apr. 2025

The male figure wears a simple toga, while the woman wears a large cloak over a tunic and many accessories. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025

She is known to complete the look with the golden Irish Guards brooch (shaped like a shamrock!) and place a fresh sprig of shamrocks to pin onto her outfit, which the guards also tack to their tunics. —Monique Jessen, People.com, 17 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Old English tunice, from Latin tunica, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew kuttōneth coat

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for tunic

• eunuch
• punic
• runic

Kids Definition

tunic

noun

tu·​nic ˈt(y)ü-nik 

1

: a usually belted knee-length garment worn by ancient Greeks and Romans

2

: a shirt or jacket reaching to or just below the hips

Medical Definition

tunic

noun

tu·​nic ˈt(y)ü-nik 

: an enclosing or covering membrane or tissue : tunica

the tunics of the eye