How to pronounce tartan
Say it like TAR-tun. Tartan has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tartan. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TAR
- tun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tartan pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of tartan
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: TAH-tun.
What does tartan mean?
- Woven woollen fabric with a distinctive pattern of colored stripes intersecting at right angles originally associated with Scottish Highlanders, now with different clans (though this only dates from the late 18th century) and some Scottish families and institutions having their own patterns; (count
- A pattern used on such fabric.
- Clothing made from this fabric.
- Made of tartan (noun etymology 1, noun sense 1), or having a distinctive pattern of colored stripes intersecting at right angles like a that of a tartan.
- Of or relating to Scotland, its culture, or people; Scottish.
- To clothe (someone) in tartan (noun etymology 1, noun sense 1.2).
- To apply a tartan pattern to (something).
- To make (something) Scottish, or more Scottish; to tartanize.
Where does tartan come from?
The adjective is from an attributive use of the noun, while the verb is also derived from the noun.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with tartan
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tartan.
Questions about saying tartan
How do you pronounce tartan?
Say TAR-tun. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɑrtən/. In British English it is /ˈtɑːtən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tartan?
Tartan has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TAR). Broken into parts: TAR · tun.
Is tartan pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈtɑːtən/ (TAH-tun).