Tats and tatts are both used as informal spellings for tattoos. However, they come from slightly different forms of the shortened word. Tats is the plural of tat, while tatts is the plural of tatt. Both can refer to permanent designs or artwork on the skin. In everyday American English, tattoos remains the clearest and most widely understood choice.
Tats or Tatts: What’s the Difference?
The main difference between tats and tatts is their spelling and the shortened form from which each word comes.
- Tats: The plural of tat, an informal shortening of tattoo.
- Tatts: The plural of tatt, another informal shortening of tattoo.
Both spellings can describe body art. However, they are informal expressions rather than preferred choices for formal writing.
For example:
- She showed her friends her new tats.
- He has several colorful tatts on his arms.
Both sentences communicate the same general idea.
According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, tat can also appear as tatt. The American Heritage Dictionary likewise recognizes both forms. Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries+1
What Does Tats Mean?
Tats is an informal plural noun referring to tattoos. People commonly use it in casual conversations when discussing body art.
A tattoo is a permanent design, image, symbol, or pattern created by placing ink into the skin.
The singular form is tat, while the plural form is tats.
Examples of Tats in Sentences
Here are some natural examples:
- She has three small tats on her wrist.
- His tats represent important moments in his life.
- My brother wants to get matching tats with his best friend.
- Those colorful tats look beautiful.
- He covered his old tats with a larger design.
- Her new tats have meaningful symbols.
- I noticed the tats on his arms.
- They discussed their favorite tattoo artists.
- His tats tell stories about his travels.
- She prefers simple tats over complicated designs.
When Should You Use Tats?
Use tats in informal conversations, social media posts, text messages, and casual writing.
For example:
- Casual: I love your new tats!
- Social media: Check out my latest tats.
- Conversation: How many tats do you have?
However, use tattoos in professional, academic, medical, and formal writing.
What Does Tatts Mean?
Tatts is another informal plural form referring to tattoos. It comes from the singular word tatt.
Although it has the same general meaning as tats, the spelling includes an additional letter T.
For example:
- He has several tatts on his shoulders.
- Her tatts have different artistic styles.
- Those tatts look amazing.
- My friend recently got two new tatts.
- His tatts are inspired by traditional artwork.
The spelling tatts is recognized as the plural of tatt. Wiktionary, the free dictionary+1
When Should You Use Tatts?
You can use tatts when writing informal messages or discussing tattoos in a casual setting.
For instance:
- I like your tatts.
- His tatts look incredible.
- She wants to add more tatts to her collection.
Nevertheless, remember that tatts is not necessary when the standard word tattoos works perfectly well.
Tats vs. Tatts: Side-by-Side Comparison
The following table highlights the main differences between these two spellings.
| Feature | Tats | Tatts |
|---|---|---|
| Singular form | Tat | Tatt |
| Plural form | Tats | Tatts |
| Meaning | Tattoos | Tattoos |
| Part of speech | Noun | Noun |
| Tone | Informal | Informal |
| Formal writing | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Standard alternative | Tattoos | Tattoos |
Are Tats and Tatts Interchangeable?
Yes, when referring to tattoos, the two forms are generally interchangeable in informal communication.
For example:
- She has beautiful tats.
- She has beautiful tatts.
Both sentences describe the same thing.
However, they are not identical spellings. Each is the plural of a different shortened form.
Therefore, choose one spelling and use it consistently throughout your writing.
Is Tats or Tatts More Common?
Tats is a familiar informal spelling, especially in American English conversations about tattoos. The spelling tatts is also recognized, although its usage can vary by region and community.
Neither spelling should be confused with the standard plural tattoos.
For everyday American readers, the following distinction is useful:
- Tattoos: Standard and widely understood.
- Tats: Informal and conversational.
- Tatts: Informal alternative spelling.
If your goal is clear communication, tattoos is the safest option.
What Is the Singular Form of Tats and Tatts?
The singular forms are tat and tatt, respectively.
Both refer to one tattoo in informal language.
| Word | Singular or plural | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tat | Singular | He has a tat on his shoulder. |
| Tats | Plural | He has several tats. |
| Tatt | Singular | She got a new tatt. |
| Tatts | Plural | She has several tatts. |
| Tattoo | Singular | He got a tattoo. |
| Tattoos | Plural | He has four tattoos. |
For example, you would say:
- One tat, not one tats.
- Two tats, not two tat.
- One tatt, not one tatts.
- Two tatts, not two tatt.
These forms follow the ordinary singular and plural distinction.
Tats vs. Tattoos: Which Word Should You Choose?
Although tats and tattoos have similar meanings, they differ in tone and suitability.
Tattoos is the standard English word. Meanwhile, tats is a shortened, informal version.
Consider these examples:
| Situation | Better choice | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Professional writing | Tattoos | The artist specializes in tattoos. |
| Academic writing | Tattoos | Tattoos have cultural significance. |
| Casual conversation | Tats | I like your tats. |
| Social media | Tats | Showing off my new tats! |
| Medical discussion | Tattoos | The patient has several tattoos. |
| Formal description | Tattoos | The design of the tattoos is detailed. |
Why Is Tattoos Better for Formal Writing?
The word tattoos is widely understood and appropriate across different writing situations.
For example, a professional article about body art should normally use tattoos rather than tats or tatts.
Similarly, medical documents and educational materials should favor the standard spelling.
However, informal language has its place. Using tats in a friendly message can make the sentence sound more relaxed and conversational.
Common Mistakes When Using Tats or Tatts
Although both forms are easy to understand, writers sometimes make mistakes when using them.
1. Treating Tats as a Formal Word
Tats is an informal expression. Therefore, it may not suit professional documents.
Incorrect for formal writing:
The patient has several tats.
Better:
The patient has several tattoos.
2. Confusing Singular and Plural Forms
Remember that tat is singular and tats is plural.
Correct:
- She has one tat.
- She has three tats.
The same rule applies to tatt and tatts.
3. Adding an Apostrophe to Make a Plural
Do not write tat’s when you mean more than one tattoo.
Incorrect: He has two tat’s.
Correct: He has two tats.
An apostrophe generally indicates possession or a contraction, not an ordinary plural.
4. Assuming Tatts Is a Spelling Error
Tatts is a recognized informal spelling. It is the plural of tatt.
However, it is not the only accepted informal form. Tats is another option.
How to Choose Between Tats and Tatts
Choosing the right spelling depends on your audience and writing style.
Follow these simple guidelines:
- Use tats when you want an informal shortened form of tattoos.
- Use tatts when following the alternative spelling tatt.
- Use tattoos when writing professionally or formally.
- Keep your spelling consistent throughout a paragraph or article.
- Consider your audience before choosing informal vocabulary.
Most importantly, do not sacrifice clarity just to use a shorter word.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Tats or Tatts Correct?
Both are recognized informal spellings when referring to tattoos. Tats is the plural of tat, while tatts is the plural of tatt. The standard plural form is tattoos.
2. Is Tats Short for Tattoos?
Yes. Tats is an informal shortened form of tattoos. People often use it in casual conversations, text messages, and social media posts.
3. Is Tatts a Real Word?
Yes. Tatts is a recognized plural form of tatt, an informal shortening of tattoo. It is not a spelling mistake when used in this context.
4. What Is the Singular of Tats?
The singular form of tats is tat. It refers to one tattoo in informal English.
5. What Is the Plural of Tatt?
The plural of tatt is tatts. Both forms are informal alternatives to tattoo and tattoos.
6. Should I Write Tats or Tattoos?
Use tattoos in formal, professional, and academic writing. Choose tats when you want a casual, conversational tone.
7. Are Tats and Tattoos the Same Thing?
They generally refer to the same thing. However, tats is an informal shortened form, whereas tattoos is the standard English word.
Conclusion
The choice between tats or tatts depends on which informal spelling you prefer. Both can refer to tattoos, but they have different singular forms: tat and tatt.
For everyday conversations, either informal form can work. However, tattoos remains the clearest and most appropriate choice for standard American English.
Daniel Brooks
Daniel Brooks is an English vocabulary specialist focused on synonyms, word meanings, and practical language learning. He helps students, writers, and English learners understand subtle differences between words and choose the right expressions for clear, effective communication.
