plaid

noun

ˈplad How to pronounce plaid (audio)
Synonyms of plaidnext
1
: a rectangular length of tartan worn over the left shoulder as part of the Scottish national costume
2
a
: a twilled woolen fabric with a tartan pattern
b
: a fabric with a pattern of tartan or an imitation of tartan
3
a
: tartan sense 1
b
: a pattern of unevenly spaced repeated stripes crossing at right angles
plaid adjective
plaided
ˈpla-dəd How to pronounce plaid (audio)
adjective

Examples of plaid in a Sentence

She likes to wear plaids.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Quirky touches include plaid upholstery, fabric door-pull straps and a removable storage basket 3D-printed from bio-plastic and wood. — New Atlas, 12 Oct. 2026 Her husband’s plaid shirt is always resting on the chair and Margaret is consistently shown wearing plaid. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026 McCaffrey is a plaid-on-stripes mismatch in space for the Broncos’ linebackers, and tight end George Kittle is one of the league’s toughest covers. — Sam Jane, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026 Suits that do sell tend to be formal, many in navy or a light monochrome for summer, and tuxedos, whereas 10 years ago, chalk stripes and Glen plaid were popular. — David Moin, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plaid

Word History

Etymology

Scottish Gaelic plaide

First Known Use

1512, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of plaid was in 1512

Phrases Containing plaid

Rhymes for plaid

See All Rhymes for plaid

Browse Nearby Words

plaice
plaid
plaided
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plaid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plaid. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

plaid

noun
ˈplad How to pronounce plaid (audio)
1
: a rectangular length of tartan worn over the shoulder as part of the Scottish national costume
2
: a fabric with a tartan pattern
3
a
: tartan sense 1
b
: a pattern of unevenly spaced repeated stripes crossing at right angles
plaid adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on plaid

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for plaid

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