Games

Word of the Day

Video

Blog: Words at Play

My Faves

Dictionary

¹shawl

noun \ˈshȯl\

: a piece of cloth that is used especially by women as a covering for the head or shoulders

Full Definition of SHAWL

: a square or oblong usually fabric garment or wrapper used especially as a covering for the head or shoulders

See shawl defined for English-language learners

See shawl defined for kids

Origin of SHAWL

Persian shāl

First Known Use: 1662

Rhymes with SHAWL

all, awl, ball, bawl, brawl, call, caul, crawl, doll, drawl, fall, gall, hall, haul, kraal, mall, maul, moll, pall, pawl, Saul, scall, scrawl, small, spall, sprawl, squall, stall, tall, thrall, trawl, wall, yawl

²shawl

transitive verb

Definition of SHAWL

: to wrap in or as if in a shawl

First Known Use of SHAWL

1812

SHAWL Defined for Kids

shawl

noun \ˈshȯl\

Definition of SHAWL for Kids

: a square or oblong piece of cloth used especially by women as a loose covering for the head or shoulders

Learn More About SHAWL

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "shawl"

Nglish: Translation of "shawl" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "shawl" for Arabic speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "shawl"

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: shawl collarPrevious Word in the Dictionary: shawfowlAll Words Near: shawl

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up shawl? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site

Test Your Vocabulary!

10 Charming Words for Nasty People

Put-downs with flair

Learn More

When "Literally" isn't, well, literal

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Watch Now

Know what this is?

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Go Play

Fear of cats?

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears