What does plait mean?
A plait is a braid: a length formed by intertwining strands, most often hair. Used as a verb, to plait means to make such a braid by crossing and weaving strands together. The word is particularly familiar in British English, where descriptions such as wearing hair in a plait are common, while braid is more frequently used in American English. Plait can also apply to interwoven strands of wool, leather, straw, or other materials, as in a plaited basket or a plait of hair. The term should not be confused with pleat, which is a fold in fabric, or with plate, which is a flat serving or structural object. Its vocabulary relatives—such as pliable, complicate, and explicit—belong to a wider family derived from the Latin root for folding or gathering.
A braid formed by intertwining three or more strands, especially of hair.
"She wore a long plait down the back of her dress."
Common in British English; braid is more usual in everyday American English. A single twisted lock may be called a braid or a tress but is not necessarily called a plait.
To braid hair or another material by intertwining strands.
"He plaited her hair while she read aloud to him."
The action is usually understood as involving multiple strands. It is common in British English but is also used in American English, particularly in craft and hair contexts.
Use the plural when referring to multiple braids or multiple separate lengths of intertwined hair.
"Her two plaits were tied with bright blue ribbons."
A plait is a braid, but its family tree also includes words such as pliable and explicit: all trace back to the Latin idea of folding.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does plait come from?
Plait entered Middle English from Old French plait, a word related to Latin plicare, “to fold.” Its original sense referred to folding or intertwining strands, from which the modern meaning of a braid developed. English later acquired pleat as a separate spelling associated with folded fabric, while plait became especially established for braids made from several strands.
Related word forms
How plait is actually used
Plait is especially associated with British English, although it is also understood in American English. In everyday American usage, braid is generally more common than plait, and in both varieties a plait usually refers to a braid made from several strands.
Easily confused with plait
A plait is an intertwined braid, whereas a pleat is a fold pressed or sewn into fabric.
A plate is a thin, flat piece of metal, glass, or another material, while a plait is an interwoven strand or braid.