noun
Common
stole
stohl
Stole (noun) means a long scarf-like garment, often made of fur or fabric, worn draped over the shoulders. Example: “Over her dress she draped a silk stole to keep warm.”
noun
1
A long scarf-like garment, often made of fur or fabric, worn draped over the shoulders.
"Over her dress she draped a silk stole to keep warm."
"My grandmother lent me her woollen stole for the winter wedding."
"She wore an elegant fur stole to the gala."
2
A decorated band worn by clergy over the shoulders during religious services.
"The vicar's embroidered stole was green for that season of the church year."
"The deacon kissed the stole before placing it around his shoulders."
"The priest put on his stole before beginning the ceremony."
How to use stole
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA long scarf-like piece of clothing, worn either as fashion or as religious dress.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "stole," the past tense of the verb "steal" — same spelling, completely unrelated word.
Common pairings
a fur stole
wear a stole
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Word forms
- Plural
- stoles
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Over her dress she draped a silk _____ to keep warm.
Etymology
From Latin stola, from Greek stole, meaning "garment" or "equipment."
Related words
Rhymes for stole
See all rhymes for stole →Frequently asked questions
What does “stole” mean?
The word “stole” means a long scarf-like garment, often made of fur or fabric, worn draped over the shoulders. In plain terms, a long scarf-like piece of clothing, worn either as fashion or as religious dress.
How do you pronounce “stole”?
“Stole” is pronounced stohl (/stoʊl/ in IPA).
How do you use “stole” in a sentence?
Here is “stole” used in a sentence: “She wore an elegant fur stole to the gala.”
What part of speech is “stole”?
“Stole” is a noun.
Where does the word “stole” come from?
The word “stole” comes from Latin. From Latin stola, from Greek stole, meaning "garment" or "equipment.".
Is “stole” a common word?
“Stole” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “stole” have?
“Stole” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long scarf-like garment, often made of fur or fabric, worn draped over the shoulders.
What is the difference between a 'stole' and a 'scarf'?
A stole is a long, wide, scarf-like garment, often of fur or fabric, worn draped over the shoulders for warmth or formal decoration. A scarf is usually narrower and more everyday, worn around the neck. Stoles tend to be dressier and are common with evening wear.
What is the difference between a 'stole' and a 'shawl'?
Both are worn over the shoulders, but a stole is typically long and narrow, draped so the ends hang down the front. A shawl is usually broader and can be wrapped more fully around the shoulders and arms. The stole is the more formal of the two.
What is a 'stole' worn by clergy?
In a religious setting, a stole is a decorated band worn by clergy over the shoulders during services. Its colour and use often reflect the season or occasion in the church calendar, making it a recognizable part of liturgical dress.
Is 'stole' the same word as the past tense of 'steal'?
They are spelled and pronounced identically but are different words. The noun 'stole' is a garment worn over the shoulders, while 'stole' is also the past tense of the verb 'steal,' as in 'someone stole my bag.' Context makes clear which meaning is intended.
