rangoli

American  

[ran-goh-lee] / rænˈgoʊ li /

noun

1. a traditional Hindu decoration on a floor or other flat surface usually made of powder, such as colored or dyed sand, chalk, crushed limestone, or rice flour: A colorful geometric rangoli adorned the threshold.

   The arena in which the dance is performed is decorated with rangoli.

   A colorful geometric rangoli adorned the threshold.

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Etymology

Origin of rangoli

First recorded in 1880–85; from Marathi rãgoḷī, from Sanskrit raṅga “color” + āvali “line”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rangoli

Many also create traditional and colourful rangoli designs outside their doors to invite luck and positivity.

From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2025

Many draw traditional designs like rangoli - made using colourful powders - outside their doors to welcome luck and positivity.

From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2024

"She looked inside a bag of powdered color," a vendor laughed, pointing to a row of fluorescent sand, which is used for rangoli art.

From Salon ● Oct. 14, 2024

Brightly colored rangoli designs are drawn at the entrances of homes and offices, which are decked in fairy lights.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 4, 2021

Once passed down through generations of Indian women, typically from mother to daughter, the art of rangoli is now the subject of countless tutorials on social media.

From New York Times ● Nov. 4, 2021