noun
hijab
hih-JAHB
Hijab (noun) means a headscarf worn by many Muslim women that covers the hair and neck. Example: “She wore a blue hijab to match her outfit.”
noun
1
A headscarf worn by many Muslim women that covers the hair and neck.
"“When I’m dressed like this, they know,” says Lufta Islam, touching her hijab and long dress. ” ‘OK, she’s a Muslim girl.’ “"
— Kyung Lah, Fearing attacks, Muslim women learn self-defense (2016)
"She wore a blue hijab to match her outfit."
2
The broader practice among some Muslim women of dressing modestly in front of men outside their immediate family.
"The belief that Muslim females observe hijab because men force them to do so insults some Muslim females who have based their decision on their understanding of Islam."
— Jawairriya Abdallah-Shahid, Veiled Voices (2010)
"For her, observing hijab is about personal faith, not fashion."
How to use hijab
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA headscarf worn for religious or cultural modesty, or the wider practice of modest dress it represents.
Common pairings
wear a hijab
hijab-wearing
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Word forms
- Plural
- hijabs
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She wore a blue _____ to match her outfit.
Etymology
Borrowed from Arabic ḥijāb, meaning "veil" or "curtain," from a root meaning "to cover" or "to conceal."
Frequently asked questions
What does “hijab” mean?
The word “hijab” means a headscarf worn by many Muslim women that covers the hair and neck. In plain terms, a headscarf worn for religious or cultural modesty, or the wider practice of modest dress it represents.
How do you pronounce “hijab”?
“Hijab” is pronounced hih-JAHB (/hɪˈd͡ʒɑːb/ in IPA).
How do you use “hijab” in a sentence?
Here is “hijab” used in a sentence: “She wore a blue hijab to match her outfit.”
What part of speech is “hijab”?
“Hijab” is a noun.
Where does the word “hijab” come from?
The word “hijab” comes from Arabic. Borrowed from Arabic ḥijāb, meaning "veil" or "curtain," from a root meaning "to cover" or "to conceal.".
How many meanings does “hijab” have?
“Hijab” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a headscarf worn by many Muslim women that covers the hair and neck.
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