tartan

Language: en

🇺🇸 /ˈtɑrtən/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    A pattern consisting of crossed horizontal and vertical bands in two or more colors, traditionally associated with Scottish clans.; A woolen fabric woven with a tartan pattern.; A garment made of tartan fabric, especially a kilt or plaid.
  2. adjective
    Having a pattern of crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colors.
  3. noun
    A synthetic rubber or polyurethane surface used for athletic tracks.

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable / uncountable Plural: tartans

Collocations

tartan patterntartan kilttartan skirtclan tartanfamily tartantartan cloth

Derivatives

tartanry

Synonyms

plaidcheckchecked pattern

Commonly confused

plaid
EN: In American English 'plaid' is often used interchangeably with 'tartan,' but technically a plaid is a garment (a long piece of tartan cloth worn over the shoulder), while tartan refers to the specific crisscross pattern itself.
tartar
EN: 'Tartar' refers to a substance (e.g., cream of tartar, dental tartar) or a historical people; 'tartan' is a Scottish fabric pattern.

Spelling tips

EN: Do not confuse with 'tartar' or misspell as 'tarten.' Remember the second syllable is '-tan,' not '-ten.'

💬 Examples

  1. Each Scottish clan has its own distinctive tartan pattern.

  2. She wore a skirt made of fine tartan to the Highland games.

  3. He draped the tartan over his shoulder as part of his traditional Highland dress.

  4. She bought a tartan scarf to keep warm during the trip to Scotland.

  5. The athletes warmed up on the tartan before the race began.