What does tweed mean?
Tweed is a coarse, durable woolen fabric traditionally woven with a twill structure and frequently flecked with contrasting colors. It is especially associated with Scottish and Irish country clothing, although it is now used widely in Britain, the United States, and elsewhere. Designers commonly employ it for jackets, suits, hats, skirts, and coats, while its traditional versions often feature earthy colors and subtle woven patterns. The word may name the material itself or, informally, a suit or other outfit made from it. “Tweedy” describes something resembling tweed or having its traditional, outdoorsy character. Although usually associated with conservative or heritage fashion, contemporary designers have also used tweed in more experimental clothing. Its history lies in the Scots word “tweel,” a spelling that was eventually altered to “tweed,” contributing to the fabric's strong Scottish identity and its association with the River Tweed.
A coarse, durable woolen fabric, traditionally woven in a twill pattern and often containing flecks of contrasting colors; by extension, a garment or outfit made from this fabric.
"Her tweel trousers were tailored from traditional Scottish cloth."
When it refers to a garment or outfit, “tweed” is often used informally and is commonly found in the plural.
Made of tweed or characteristically associated with tweed.
"He chose a tweed blazer for the ceremony."
The adjective is most often encountered in compound nouns such as “tweed jacket,” “tweed suit,” and “tweed hat.”
The plural is common when referring to two or more garments made from tweed, particularly a suit, pair of trousers, or coordinated outfit.
"He packed his tweeds for the country weekend."
Tweed began life as an alternative spelling of “tweel” and became so closely associated with Scotland that the River Tweed gave its name to a celebrated fabric tradition.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tweed come from?
The English word appeared in the nineteenth century in the form “tweel,” associated with Scots “tweel,” a word for a twill fabric; it was later respelled “tweed.” Its eventual association with Scotland and the River Tweed helped establish the name of the textile and of the traditional woolen cloth associated with the region. The spelling change occurred before the modern fabric acquired many of its best-known associations with country clothing.
Related word forms
How tweed is actually used
Tweed is common in both British and American English, though it has particularly strong associations with Scottish and Irish clothing traditions. In Britain, “tweed” may refer either to the material or, informally, to a matching suit or outfit. The word often conveys a traditional, country, academic, or autumnal style; “tweedy” is the usual adjective meaning resembling or characteristically associated with tweed.
Easily confused with tweed
Tweed is a particular coarse woolen fabric, often flecked and traditionally associated with Scotland, whereas twill refers more broadly to fabric woven with a diagonal rib.