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.

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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

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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

Beneath the shadowing shawl her head was tied up with a rag – to keep her dead jaw from dropping in one final gape.

From Literature

She looked at the shawl, then motioned to the guard.

From Literature

The upper parts held her latest lace shawls, knit in the shapes of triangles, semicircles, and rectangles.

From Literature

She looked perfectly angelic in an all-white glittery dress, complete with a flowing fur shawl.

From BBC

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

Related Words

• cloth
• scarf
• stole