tattered

[tat-erd]

adjective

1. torn to tatters; tatter; ragged.

   a tattered flag.

2. wearing ragged clothing.

   a tattered old man.

tattered

/ ˈtætəd /

adjective

1. ragged or worn

   a tattered old book

2. wearing ragged or torn clothing

   tattered refugees

3. damaged, defeated, or in disarray

   he believes he can bring the tattered party together

Other Word Forms

• untattered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tattered¹

1300–50; Middle English; tatter ¹ (noun), -ed ³

Example Sentences

The youngest of those players is 52 and has hasn’t played for a dozen seasons, giving the whole tableau the feel of a tattered and worn museum exhibition.

From Los Angeles Times

He’s a disheveled figure who drives around town in a tattered van and lives above the rare bookstore that he also happens to own.

From Los Angeles Times

Enter the fractured and tattered remains of the Democratic Party.

From Salon

Those pillars were already tattered, and many are already broken, but what remains is endangered.

From Salon

Malak heaves and leaks tears, stuffs a tattered tissue into the corners of her eyes.

From BBC

Related Words

• battered 
• dilapidated 
• frayed 
• ripped 
• shabby 
• threadbare 
• torn