keffiyeh

British

/ kɛˈfiːjə /

noun

a cotton headdress worn by Arabs

"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 keffiyeh

C19: from Arabic, perhaps from Late Latin cofea _coif

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.

Each was wearing a keffiyeh, a traditional Middle Eastern headscarf, in the dock, as were a number of supporters in the public gallery.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

As the protest began, stalls were selling keffiyeh scarves while people handed out placards for protesters.

From BBC • Oct. 11, 2025

Ramsey told The Times he believed Marlan-Librett began following him because he was wearing a keffiyeh scarf.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 28, 2025

Some chanted as they held Palestinian flags while others donned traditional keffiyeh, black and white checkered scarves that represent Palestinian solidarity, over their robes.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 1, 2024

There’s no mistaking that wild frizz of hair, tied back with a bright beaded keffiyeh.

From "Without Refuge" by Jane Mitchell

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