# tattered

/ˈtætɝd/ (US) · /tˈætəd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tattered
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

describing something that is very worn out, torn, or damaged. You use this to talk about clothes, books, or old buildings that look messy and broken.

For teachers: severely worn, torn, or frayed. Often used to describe physical objects that have lost their original appearance due to age or heavy use.

## Examples

- The old book has tattered pages.
- The hikers returned with tattered clothes and muddy boots after their long journey through the forest.
- The once-grand cathedral stood in a state of tattered decay, its once-vibrant frescoes now faded to ghostly outlines on the crumbling stone walls.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.