noun

babushka

buh-BOOSH-kuh

Quiz me More like this

Babushka (noun) means a Russian grandmother, or an elderly Russian woman. Example: “The babushkas sat on the bench outside the block all afternoon.”

noun

A Russian grandmother, or an elderly Russian woman.

"The babushkas sat on the bench outside the block all afternoon."

"His babushka taught him to make pelmeni."

A headscarf folded into a triangle and tied under the chin.

"She pulled a babushka over her hair before stepping into the wind."

How to use babushka

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA Russian grandmother, or the headscarf associated with one.

When to use it

The headscarf sense is chiefly American and is unknown in Russian, where the word only means grandmother. Stress in Russian falls on the first syllable, BAH-boosh-kuh, though English speakers usually stress the second.

Memory tip

The stacking wooden dolls are matryoshka dolls, not babushka dolls, although the mistaken name is very common in English.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

matryoshka babka baboushka

Common pairings

old babushka babushka scarf tied in a babushka

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like babushka.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “babushka” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ sat on the bench outside the block all afternoon.

Etymology

From Russian babushka 'grandmother', a diminutive of baba 'old woman'.

Origin: Russian

Synonyms

View more →

grandmother granny headscarf kerchief

Related words

grandfather grandmother grandma gran nan granny nana headscarf

Frequently asked questions

Does babushka mean grandmother or headscarf?

In Russian it means only grandmother. English picked up the second meaning because of the headscarves associated with older Russian women, so in American English a babushka can also be the scarf itself.

Are babushka dolls and matryoshka dolls the same thing?

They are the same object under two names, but only matryoshka is correct in Russian. Babushka doll is an English nickname that arose from the grandmotherly figure painted on the outermost doll.

What is the meaning of babushka?

"babushka" (noun) means a Russian grandmother, or an elderly Russian woman.

What is another word for babushka?

Other words for "babushka" include grandmother, granny, headscarf, kerchief.

People also searched

grandfather grandmother grandma gran nan granny nana headscarf