shalwar

American  

[shuhl-wahr] / ˈʃʌl wɑr /

Or shulwar

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. loose, pajamalike trousers worn by both men and women in India and southeast Asia.

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shalwar British  

/ ˈʃælwɑː /

noun

1. a pair of loose-fitting trousers tapering to a narrow fit around the ankles, worn in the Indian subcontinent, often with a kameez

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Etymology

Origin of shalwar

1880–85; < Hindi < Persian shalwār

Explanation

Shalwars are loose-fitting pants commonly worn in South and Central Asia. Travel to India, Afghanistan, or Pakistan, and you'll see many people dressed in shalwars. When you picture traditional Indian clothing, you may imagine an outfit known as a shalwar-kameez. The loose, lightweight trousers, fitted at the ankle, are the shalwar, while the tunic-style top is the kameez. This style of dress, originally worn only by women, was introduced to South Asia by Muslims who arrived in the 13th century. The word is from a Persian root meaning "women's trousers."

Example Sentences

Dressed like the Kurdish fighters he once served alongside, Barsirini still wears the khaki shalwar, fitted jacket and scarf wrapped around his waist.

From Barron's • Mar. 7, 2026

In Monfalcone, Italians in Western clothes mingle with Bangladeshis wearing shalwar kameez and hijabs.

From BBC • Sep. 5, 2024

Forty-year-old Dilaram, who goes by one name, has already been hard at work with fellow logger Sanaullah for six hours under the fierce summer sun, and their shalwar kameez are soaked through with sweat.

From Scientific American • Apr. 26, 2023

His impeccable grooming was at odds with the mismatched socks peeking from beneath his shalwar kameez.

From Salon • Dec. 15, 2022

The crinkly paper holds a bright blue shalwar kameez with a tiny purple paisley pattern and gold buttons.

From "Amina's Voice" by Hena Khan