What does cardigan mean?
A cardigan is a knitted sweater that opens at the front, usually fastened with buttons or sometimes a zip, and may be worn on its own or as an extra layer over a shirt, dress, or T-shirt. Unlike a pullover, which must be pulled over the head, a cardigan can be put on and taken off easily and adjusted to suit changing temperatures, which has made it a staple of both casual and smart-casual wardrobes. The garment takes its name from James Brudenell, the 7th Earl of Cardigan, a British military commander associated with the Crimean War, whose troops are said to have worn similar buttoned jackets. Today the word is entirely ordinary and neutral in tone, used worldwide in retail and fashion writing. Cardigans range from fine, lightweight styles suited to offices to thick, chunky knits for cold weather, and they carry connotations of comfort, practicality, and a certain homely, unpretentious style.
nounA knitted sweater or jersey that opens at the front, typically fastened with buttons or a zip.
- A knitted garment for the upper body that fastens down the front with buttons or a zip.
"She wrapped her cardigan tighter against the evening chill."
"He wore a grey cardigan over his shirt to keep warm in the office."
"Grandma knitted me a bright red cardigan for my birthday."
Standard regular plural; used when referring to multiple garments or to the category of clothing in shops and catalogues.
"The shop stocks cardigans in every colour from navy to mustard."
The cardigan is named after James Brudenell, the 7th Earl of Cardigan, whose troops famously wore such jackets during the Charge of the Light Brigade in 1854 — making it one of the few everyday garments named after a British aristocrat.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cardigan
The word 'cardigan' comes from James Thomas Brudenell, the 7th Earl of Cardigan, a British cavalry officer who led the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War (1853–1856). According to tradition, his soldiers wore close-fitting knitted waistcoats or jackets of this kind during the campaign, and the garment came to be known by his title. The name ultimately derives from Cardigan, a town in Wales (Welsh Ceredigion). The term entered general English use in the mid-to-late 19th century and has since become the standard name for this style of front-opening knitted garment.
How cardigan is actually used
The word is neutral in register and common in both British and American English; 'jumper' is the more usual British term for a knitted garment generally, while 'cardigan' specifically denotes one that opens at the front. In fashion contexts, cardigans are often associated with comfort, layering, and a slightly conservative or cozy image (as in the 'twinset').
Easily confused with cardigan
A pullover is pulled on over the head with no front opening, whereas a cardigan opens fully down the front.