shawl

American  

[shawl] / ʃɔl /

noun

1. a square, triangular, or oblong piece of wool or other material worn, especially by women, about the shoulders, or the head and shoulders, in place of a coat or hat outdoors, and indoors as protection against chill or dampness.

---

shawl British  

/ ʃɔːl /

noun

1. a piece of fabric or knitted or crocheted material worn around the shoulders by women or wrapped around a baby

---

Other Word Forms

• shawlless adjective
• shawllike adjective

Etymology

Origin of shawl

First recorded in 1655–65, shawl is from the Persian word shāl

Example Sentences

They only visit under the cover of night, their faces hidden by their shawls, so as not to raise suspicions that they might be coming to pray or to celebrate a Jewish holiday.

From Literature

But several wore a red hat, scarf or shawl, recalling the designer's signature colour.

From Barron's

The song, performed on the programme barefoot, in a pair of golden-feathered trousers and a red shawl, was followed by a debut album last May.

From BBC

Boaz slid in next to his friend, still adjusting his tallit and trying to keep the prayer shawl from slipping down his shoulders.

From Literature

Abruptly she reached into the many folds of her shawl; out came a deck of large, rectangular cards.

From Literature

Related Words

• cloth
• scarf
• stole