Definition

1. Noun:
   • A religious practice of modest dress for Muslim women: "hijab" refers to the Islamic principle of modesty, particularly in dress, as observed by many Muslim women when in public or in the presence of non-related men.
   • A head covering garment: "hijab" specifically denotes a scarf that covers a woman's hair, neck, and sometimes the shoulders, often worn as an observance of this principle of modesty.

Examples

• Noun:
  • She chooses to observe hijab as an important part of her faith.
  • She wore a beautiful blue silk hijab to the event.

Advanced Usage

• "To wear the hijab": to practice modesty by covering one's hair and body with the specific garment.

  • After much reflection, she decided to start wearing the hijab.

• "To take on the hijab": to begin observing the practice of wearing the headscarf.

  • She took on the hijab during her university years.

Variants and Related Words

• Hijabi (n): A woman who wears a hijab.
  • The event was attended by many hijabis from the local community.

Synonyms

• Headscarf: A piece of cloth worn over the head (a more general, non-religious specific term).
• Veil: A piece of fine material worn to protect or conceal the face (can be part of some interpretations of hijab).

Different Meanings

• The word "hijab" can conceptually extend beyond clothing to represent the broader Islamic ethic of modesty in behavior, speech, and dress for both men and women, though it is most commonly associated with women's head covering.

Noun

1. the custom in some Islamic societies of women dressing modestly outside the home
   • she observes the hijab and does not wear tight clothing
2. a headscarf worn by Muslim women; conceals the hair and neck and usually has a face veil that covers the face