burka

IPA/ˈbʊəkə/
IPA/ˈbɜːrkə/

burka — noun

  • burkasingular
  • burkasplural

1. a long, loose garment that covers a woman's entire body and face, with a mesh or

1.nounB1
Definition

a long, loose garment that covers a woman's entire body and face, with a mesh or net band across the eyes so she can see, worn outdoors by women in certain Muslim communities.

Example

Mira wore a black burka when she went to the market with her mother.

wear + a burka — the most common verb pattern

The shop near the mosque sells blue and grey burkas made of cotton.

sell + burka — noun as object of purchase

Common collocations
  • wear a burka
  • a black / blue / grey burka
  • a burka covers [body part]
  • remove / take off a burka
  • women in burkas
Synonyms
  • burqa

    alternative spelling of the same garment

  • chadri

    regional name used in Afghanistan for the same garment

Grammar Patterns

wear + a burka

a [colour/material] burka

Usage Note

Often spelled 'burqa'. The garment is most commonly associated with Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan. It differs from the niqab, which leaves the eyes visible, and the hijab, which covers only the hair and neck.

Common Mistakes

She wore a hijab that covered her whole face.
She wore a burka that covered her whole face.
A hijab covers only the hair and neck; a burka covers the entire body, including the face.

Etymology

ArabicUrduEnglish

Borrowed from Urdu برقع (burqa), which itself comes from Arabic بُرْقُع (burquʿ), meaning a face veil or mask worn by women.

First known use

1836

1836, in the meaning defined above