niqab

British  

/ nɪˈkɑːb /

noun

1. Islam a type of veil worn by some Muslim women that is made of lightweight opaque fabric and leaves only the eyes uncovered

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Etymology

Origin of niqab

C20: from Arabic

Explanation

A niqab is a cloth that covers the face of a devout Muslim woman. Specifically, a niqab is worn below the eyes, covering the nose and mouth. While some observant Muslim women wear a burka, which covers the entire body, and others wear only a hijab that covers their hair and sometimes their neck, still others wear a niqab. The niqab leaves the eyes uncovered, and it's almost always worn with a separate scarf covering the hair. Women who follow this tradition wear a niqab when they are in public or in the company of men they aren't related to.

Example Sentences

Her captor did not speak Arabic fluently and had "Asian features", she said, adding that he removed her niqab and took photos.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

"Each class has more than 105 or 110 students," she said, wearing the black niqab, or face-covering, that is customary for Yemeni women.

From Barron's • Nov. 13, 2025

There are also several scenes that show the daughters talking about the hajib and niqab.

From Salon • Oct. 27, 2023

Since 2011 it has been illegal to wear a face-covering niqab, or a burqa covering the entire body, in public.

From New York Times • Apr. 17, 2022

I frame a shot of a woman in niqab, a face covering, decorating Julies freckled arm with intricate designs of henna.

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali