What does argyle mean?
Argyle refers to a distinctive knitting pattern of overlapping diamonds or lozenges, usually worked in two or more contrasting colors with small solid diamonds (called 'dicing') scattered across the design. It appears most often on socks, sweaters, vests, and other knitted garments, and the word can denote either the pattern itself or a garment bearing it. Argyle carries strong associations with preppy, collegiate, and traditional menswear style, evoking golf courses, country clubs, and mid-century academic fashion. The name comes from Argyll, a region on the west coast of Scotland, where the pattern resembled the tartan of Clan Campbell, the Dukes of Argyll. Though rooted in Scottish heritage, the design became internationally popular through knitwear in the early twentieth century and remains a recognizable classic today. Used both as a noun and attributively, argyle is a familiar term in fashion and everyday speech.
nounA pattern of diamonds or lozenges in contrasting colors, typically used in knitted garments such as sweaters and socks. Also, a garment — especially a sweater or sock — featuring this pattern.
- A pattern of overlapping diamonds or lozenges in two or more colors, used chiefly in knitted clothing.
- A garment, such as a sock or sweater, made with the argyle pattern.
"He wore a beige argyle sweater to the office on casual Fridays."
"She pulled on her woolliest argyle socks before heading out into the snow."
"The golfer's bright argyle vest stood out against the green fairway."
The plural typically refers to individual garments — most commonly socks — that feature the argyle pattern.
"He packed three pairs of argyles for the golf trip."
The cozy diamond pattern on your grandfather's socks is named after a clan tartan from the west coast of Scotland — the Campbells of Argyll.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of argyle
The word 'argyle' derives from Argyll, a region and former county on the west coast of Scotland, itself named from the Gaelic 'Earra-Ghàidheal' meaning 'coastland of the Gaels.' The diamond-patterned knitting associated with the area resembled the tartan of Clan Campbell, whose chiefs held the title Duke of Argyll. The term entered English in the nineteenth century, when the pattern became fashionable in knitted hosiery and later spread widely through twentieth-century sportswear and menswear.
How argyle is actually used
Used attributively as an adjective ('an argyle sweater') as well as a noun. The word carries a slightly preppy, old-fashioned, or collegiate connotation in modern usage. Both British and American English use 'argyle'; British usage sometimes retains the spelling 'argyll' in reference to the region only.
Easily confused with argyle
'Argyll' is the Scottish region (and former county) from which the pattern's name derives, while 'argyle' refers to the diamond-patterned knitwear design itself.