What does tattered mean?
Tattered describes cloth or an object that has been torn, frayed, or worn until it is ragged, especially as in clothes, flags, or coverings that no longer hold together. It can also characterize something shabby or badly deteriorated, and figurative uses sometimes suggest damage to a reputation or public standing. In ordinary description, the word evokes gradual wear: seams loosen, edges fray, and the material loses its original shape. The term is neutral rather than literary, but it often carries a strong visual implication of neglect, poverty, age, or hardship. A person may be described as wearing tattered clothes, while a flag or banner may be called tattered after prolonged exposure. Because tattered suggests damage that is both visible and advanced, it is more specific than simply worn and more evocative than damaged. It is a useful word when the texture and condition of an object matter, and its figurative applications allow writers to describe institutions, images, or reputations as falling apart.
adjectiveIn torn, frayed, or shabby condition, especially as a result of wear. It is also used figuratively for something badly damaged, ruined, or disreputable.
- Torn, frayed, or reduced to shreds, especially through age or wear.
- Shabby, badly deteriorated, or figuratively ruined in condition or reputation.
"She wrapped herself in a tattered blanket against the cold."
"The old man was wearing tattered clothes and a cracked pair of boots."
"The politician struggled to restore the party's tattered reputation."
Tattered began with cloth: when its threads give way, the material becomes ragged, and the image later extended to anything that seems to be falling apart.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tattered come from?
The adjective is formed from the older word tatter, meaning a ragged scrap of cloth, together with the suffix -ed. Tatter has close parallels in Dutch tater and German Tatter, both meaning a rag or shred, although its ultimate origin is uncertain. Its early sense referred to material torn or frayed into pieces, and figurative applications developed from the idea of something becoming damaged or falling apart.
How tattered is actually used
The word is neutral in register but strongly visual. It is especially common when describing clothing, flags, coverings, and other fabrics; figurative uses convey serious damage, decay, or disrepute.