tattered

adjective

tat·​tered ˈta-tərd How to pronounce tattered (audio)
1
: torn into shreds : ragged
a tattered flag
2
a
: broken down : dilapidated
decaying houses along tattered paved streetsP. B. Martin
b
: being in a shattered condition
led their tattered party to victory
3
: wearing ragged clothes
a tattered barefoot boy

Examples of tattered in a Sentence

a pile of old tattered books arrived at the shelter tattered and exhausted
Recent Examples on the Web All critics and jeering old folks need is a platform (cable TV, Instagram, a tattered soap box) to discredit the movement as the performative act of feckless snowflakes and spoiled children. Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2024 Israel is widely believed to be behind a long list of drone attacks and explosions that have hit Iranian military and nuclear targets, particularly since the collapse of talks to revive Tehran’s tattered nuclear deal with world powers. Carol E. Lee, NBC News, 13 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tattered 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tattered.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of tattered was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near tattered

Cite this Entry

“Tattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tattered. Accessed 28 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

tattered

adjective
tat·​tered ˈtat-ərd How to pronounce tattered (audio)
1
: wearing ragged clothes
a tattered barefoot child
2
: torn in shreds : ragged
a tattered flag

More from Merriam-Webster on tattered

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!