rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryshawlShoulder or head covering
noun

shawl

SHAWL/ʃɔːl/

A large piece of cloth worn over the shoulders or head.

The man's broad shawl drapes over both shoulders and covers his upper arms.

A man wears a broad, fringed piece of cloth draped across both shoulders, with its loose ends hanging down his chest and its lower edge covering his upper arms.
Etymology
shawlPersianshawl

Persian shal names the garment itself. In English, the word first referred to dress worn in Asia and later became the name for a shoulder covering worn by Western women.

In context

Jews for Judaism33:09
a prayer shawl will be draped over the bride and groom together and held by their friends
THE LIFE CYCLE OF JUDAISM: From Cradle to Grave - Rabbi Michael Skobac - Jews for Judaism

More examples

  • He gives his grandmother a soft shawl for her birthday.
  • She covers her head with a shawl before stepping outside.
  • Colorful shawls hang beside the coats in the shop.

Forms

shawl · shawls

Similar words

wrap
A broader term for a loose outer covering.
stole
Usually narrower and often worn with formal clothing.