What does tunics mean?
Tunics are garments worn over the upper body, usually loose-fitting and extending from the shoulders to below the hips. They may be made from linen, wool, leather, cotton, or other materials and occur in classical, military, school, religious, and ceremonial dress. In ordinary clothing contexts, the word often evokes the simple, practical garments worn by ancient Greeks and Romans, as well as modern garments designed to be comfortable and easy to wear. The term can also have more specialized meanings. Ecclesiastical usage refers to a long, close-fitting vestment, while anatomical usage identifies protective or vascular layers surrounding organs and parts of the eye. As the plural of tunic, tunics can refer collectively to several garments or to multiple layers in these technical settings. The word is common in British and American English and is useful for describing both historical clothing traditions and modern clothing styles with a simple or classical character.
noun (plural)Tunics are loose-fitting garments, typically extending from the shoulders to below the hips, that are worn over the upper body. The word can also refer to tunic-like covering layers, especially in anatomical contexts, or to ecclesiastical vestments.
- Loose-fitting garments worn over the upper body, often reaching to the knees or below and used in classical, military, school, religious, or ceremonial dress.
- Anatomical covering layers or membranes, such as the fibrous or vascular tunics of an organ or the eye.
"The choir members wore plain black tunics over their robes."
"Roman soldiers are often depicted wearing short tunics over their armor."
"The eye is covered by several layers, including an outer fibrous tunic and an inner vascular tunic."
The standard plural of tunic, used for multiple garments and, in specialized contexts, multiple anatomical or protective layers.
"The museum displays several Roman tunics and cloaks."
The Roman tunic was everyday wear, not merely a costume piece.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tunics come from?
The word tunic comes through Middle English from the Latin tunica, meaning a garment. The Latin root also underlies related English words such as tunicle and tunicate, including a diminutive garment or vestment and forms associated with a tunic-like covering. The modern English plural tunics is formed by the regular addition of -s.
Related word forms
How tunics is actually used
In everyday clothing terminology, tunics can suggest classical, military, school, or ceremonial styles. In anatomy and ecclesiastical contexts, the word is more technical and may refer to a covering layer or a formal vestment.