noun
kippah
KIP-uh
Kippah (noun) means a cloth skullcap traditionally worn by male Jews. Example: “He wore a kippah pinned to his hair during the service.”
noun
1
A cloth skullcap traditionally worn by male Jews.
"He wore a kippah pinned to his hair during the service."
"Kippahs come in plain colours or patterned fabric, depending on the occasion."
"Some Jewish Americans told CNN they are now hiding their kippahs, refusing to wear their Star of David necklaces and changing long-held traditions for religious holidays."
— Nicquel Terry Ellis, The Israel-Hamas war is driving a surge in US hate crimes. These Jewish Americans say it’s changing the way they live (2023)
"In response, Germany’s most popular daily newspaper asked readers to wear the cut-out kippah as a mark of solidarity with the Jewish community, and even posted a video on its website showing how to make it."
— Jack Guy, German newspaper prints cut-out kippah, urging readers to wear it in solidarity with Jews (2019)
How to use kippah
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA kippah is the small round cap worn on the head as part of Jewish religious practice.
When to use it
Kippah is a neutral, respectful term used in everyday English when discussing Jewish dress and practice.
Memory tip
Say KIP-uh, not like the fish kipper, even though the two sound alike to some ears.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
wear a kippah
a knitted kippah
pin on a kippah
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He wore a _____ pinned to his hair during the service.
Etymology
Kippah is borrowed from the Hebrew word כִּיפָּה (kipá).
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What is a kippah?
A kippah is the round cloth skullcap that male Jews traditionally wear, often known by its Yiddish name, yarmulke.
What is the plural of kippah?
The plural can be kippahs, or the Hebrew-derived forms kippot or kippoth.
Is kippah the same as yarmulke?
Yes, kippah and yarmulke both refer to the same skullcap, with kippah coming from Hebrew and yarmulke from Yiddish.
What is the meaning of kippah?
"kippah" (noun) means a cloth skullcap traditionally worn by male Jews.
