a faja

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A wide belt or band worn tightly around the waist or abdomen, often for support after childbirth or surgery.

   Grammar: Countable: say 'a faja' or 'fajas' for more than one.

   Patterns

   • wear a faja
   • a faja around something

   After the birth, she wore a faja for several weeks to support her stomach muscles.

   The clinic gives every patient a faja to wear after abdominal surgery.

   Some fajas are made of strong elastic, while others are woven cloth.

2. 2nouncountableregional

   A traditional woven sash or belt worn around the waist, especially in parts of Mexico and Central America.

   Grammar: Countable and often used with 'traditional' to make the cultural meaning clear.

   Patterns

   • a traditional faja
   • weave a faja

   The dancer's colorful faja was woven on a backstrap loom.

   In that village, a traditional faja is part of everyday dress.

Word forms

Common combinations

wear a faja

She had to wear a faja for a month after the operation.

postpartum faja

Many new mothers buy a postpartum faja online.

tighten a faja

He tightened the faja before lifting the heavy box.

traditional faja

The market sells traditional fajas in bright colors.

Synonyms and how they differ

corset

A corset is a stiff garment that shapes the waist, while a faja is usually softer and worn for support or tradition.

girdle

A girdle is an older English word for a supportive undergarment; faja is the Spanish term and sounds more specific or medical.

sash

A sash is a band worn over the shoulder or around the waist as decoration; a faja is worn around the waist and can be practical or traditional.

Commonly confused: a faja or fajita?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “a faja”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words