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Synonyms

tatter

1 American  
[tat-er] / ˈtæt ər /

noun

  1. a torn piece hanging loose from the main part, as of a garment or flag.

  2. a separate torn piece; shred.

  3. tatters, torn or ragged clothing.

    dressed in rags and tatters.

verb (used with object)

  1. to tear or wear to tatters.

verb (used without object)

  1. to become ragged.

tatter 2 American  
[tat-er] / ˈtæt ər /

noun

  1. a person who does tatting, tatting, especially as an occupation.

tatter British  
/ ˈtætə /

verb

  1. to make or become ragged or worn to shreds

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. (plural) torn or ragged pieces, esp of material

    1. torn to pieces; in shreds

    2. destroyed or ruined

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of tatter1

1375–1425; (noun) late Middle English < Old Norse tǫturr rag, tatter; akin to Old English tætteca rag, shred; (v.) back formation from tattered

Origin of tatter2

First recorded in 1880–85; tat + -er 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The second story, “Birdie,” captures a friendship on the verge of tatters among a group of women.

From Los Angeles Times

The sugar industry, the engine of the economy since colonial times, is now in tatters.

From The Wall Street Journal

Captain Mitchell Marsh insists Australia can put their spin woes behind them at the T20 Cricket World Cup after a morale-sapping series defeat to Pakistan left their preparations in tatters.

From Barron's

Two-time Grand Slam champion Gauff's serve deserted her, broken four times in the first set and twice in the second to leave her title aspirations in tatters.

From Barron's

Its economy is in tatters because of sanctions and the collapse of its currency.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.