cardigan
n. countablen. a knitted sweater that opens at the front like a jacket. You usually close it with buttons or a zipper.
n. a knitted garment for the upper body that opens at the front. Typically fastened with buttons or a zip; often contrasted with a pullover or sweater that must be pulled over the head.
She wore a warm cardigan over her dress.
The office was quite chilly, so he kept a wool cardigan on the back of his chair just in case.
While heavy coats are necessary for the winter commute, a lightweight cardigan provides the perfect middle ground for fluctuating temperatures in a modern climate-controlled workspace.
Anglicized from Welsh Ceredigion (“Ceredig's land”)
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Often used with the verb 'to wear' or 'to button up'.
Last updated May 7, 2026