sari

American  

[sahr-ee] / ˈsɑr i /

Or saree

noun

plural

saris

1. a garment worn by Hindu women, consisting of a long piece of cotton or silk wrapped around the body with one end draped over the head or over one shoulder.

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sari British  

/ ˈsɑːrɪ /

noun

1. the traditional dress of women of India, Pakistan, etc, consisting of a very long narrow piece of cloth elaborately swathed around the body

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Etymology

Origin of sari

1570–80; < Hindi sāṛī < Sanskrit śāṭī

Explanation

A sari is a piece of clothing that South Asian women often wear. If you go to a wedding in India, you'll probably see the bride wearing a red silk sari. A sari consists of one very long piece of fabric that's wrapped around the body and draped over a shoulder, and garments worn underneath, including a short-sleeved blouse. The style and fabric of a sari, as well as the way it's worn, varies between different regions and traditions. You can also spell this word saree. It comes from the Hindi sari and the Sanskrit root sati, "garment" or "petticoat."

Example Sentences

Nada Reda Abu Sari, 82, however, has not stayed by choice.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

In a separate announcement Thursday, Nokia said that board Chair Sari Baldauf will step down, with board member Timo Ihamuotila proposed for election as the new chair.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

Israeli citizens, like Sari Khourieh, an Israeli Arab lawyer from Haifa, say it has also happened to them.

From BBC • Aug. 5, 2024

Leah Oritz, 8, left, and Sari Oritz, 5, pose for photographs at Purim festivities in Jerusalem.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2024

Well may that huddled heap of hills between Suvla Bay and Sari Bair be haunted by the wraith of Irish tragedy and grief; well may the wailing cry of the banshee be ever heard there.

From The Irish at the Front by MacDonagh, Michael