caftan
4 synonyms for caftan, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A long, loose, wide-sleeved robe that hangs from the shoulders without a fitted waist, worn as a dress, a beach cover-up or loungewear.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use caftan
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
silk caftan
beach caftan
embroidered caftan
caftan dress
'Caftan' is the usual American spelling and 'kaftan' the usual British one; both are correct and pronounced the same. In fashion writing the word covers everything from a beach throw-on to formal occasion wear.
Etymology
From Turkish kaftan, itself from Persian khaftān, a long robe.
Full origin of caftan →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a caftan and a kaftan?
None at all — they are two spellings of the same garment and the same word. Caftan is more common in American English, kaftan in British English.
What is the difference between a caftan and a kimono?
A caftan is pulled on over the head and hangs straight from the shoulders, sometimes with a front opening. A kimono is a wrap garment with square sleeves that overlaps at the front and is held by a sash. Their origins are Middle Eastern and Japanese respectively.
What is the difference between a caftan and a muumuu?
Both are loose full-length dresses. A muumuu is Hawaiian in origin, usually simpler in cut and in bright floral cotton, while a caftan comes from Middle Eastern dress and is more often long-sleeved, structured at the neckline and made in finer fabric.
