Meaning & use
abayas
Last updated
“abayas” is a form of “abaya”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nouncountable
Long, loose robes worn by some women, especially in the Middle East, often over other clothes.
Grammar: This is the plural form; the singular is 'abaya': she wore an abaya.
Patterns
- wear an abaya
- a black abaya
- a plain abaya
She owns several abayas in different colors for work and family events.
In the market, the shop displayed embroidered abayas in the window.
Many women in the region wear abayas as part of everyday dress.
Word forms
| singular | abaya |
|---|
Common combinations
- wear an abaya
- She likes to wear an abaya to formal gatherings.
- a black abaya
- He bought her a simple black abaya.
- an embroidered abaya
- The boutique sells hand-embroidered abayas.
- a traditional abaya
- The traditional abaya is usually floor-length.
- a designer abaya
- Designer abayas can cost hundreds of dollars.
Synonyms and how they differ
- robe
- A general word for a long loose garment; 'abaya' is more specific and tied to a particular cultural style.
- kaftan
- Another long loose garment from North Africa and the Middle East, but it is usually more decorated and shaped differently from an abaya.
Word family
- abaya noun
- The singular form of the same garment.
Commonly confused: abayas or hijab?
abayas vs hijab
A hijab is a head covering, while an abaya is a full-length outer robe; the two are often worn together but are different items.
Practice
Which sentence uses the singular and plural correctly?
Choose one answer.
The singular takes 'an' before a vowel sound: an abaya. The plural adds -s: abayas. The other options mix singular and plural forms incorrectly.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “abayas”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.