What does tat mean?
Tat is chiefly a British word for cheap, gaudy, or tasteless decoration. As a noun, it refers to ornamental material that appears flashy, vulgar, or excessive, especially imitation lace, braid, and similar trimming. As a verb, tat means to decorate something with such conspicuous material: a costume might be tatted with imitation gold or bright, ornate braid. The term generally carries a dismissive or mildly disapproving tone and implies that the decoration lacks refinement or quality rather than simply being plain. It should not be confused with tatty, which describes something shabby or worn. In Scots English, tat has a separate meaning: to tattle or tell tales. Although uncommon in modern general British use compared with words such as decorations, trimmings, or trinkets, tat is useful for identifying a specific kind of overstated, inexpensive ornament.
Cheap, gaudy, or tasteless decorative material or trimming.
"The market stall was hung with an excessive amount of bright, cheap tat."
Chiefly British and often dismissive; the noun is usually uncountable, although the plural tats is occasionally used.
To decorate or adorn with cheap, gaudy material.
"The dancers tatted their costumes with imitation jewels and gold braid."
The verb is chiefly British. In Scots usage, tat can instead mean to tattle or tell tales.
Usually treated as an uncountable mass noun; the plural tats is rare and used for individual pieces or kinds of cheap decoration.
"The shop was full of gaudy tats intended for festival costumes."
Tat is the ideal word for decoration that is just a little too flashy.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tat come from?
The word is attested in nineteenth-century British English for lace-like work, decorative trimming, and cheap ornamental material. Its precise origin is uncertain, though later forms such as tatty and tattiness reflect its association with conspicuously inferior decoration.
Related word forms
How tat is actually used
The decorative sense is chiefly British and is often informal or dismissive, suggesting material that is flashy, vulgar, or lacking taste. The verb is correspondingly transitive and generally describes conspicuous ornamentation. The tattle sense belongs to Scots usage.
Easily confused with tat
Tat means gaudy or cheap decoration, whereas tatty means shabby, worn, or poorly made.
Tattle means gossip or talkative disclosure, while tat in Scots usage means to tattle; in its main British sense, tat refers to cheap decorative material.