Meaning & use
shalwar kamiz
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountable
A traditional South Asian outfit consisting of loose trousers (shalwar) and a long tunic (kamiz), worn by both men and women.
Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a shalwar kamiz' or 'two shalwar kamiz' (the plural is usually the same).
Patterns
- wear a shalwar kamiz
- a shalwar kamiz and dupatta
She wore a bright blue shalwar kamiz to the wedding.
Many women in Pakistan and India wear a shalwar kamiz every day.
He bought a new shalwar kamiz for the festival.
Common combinations
- wear a shalwar kamiz
- Guests are expected to wear a shalwar kamiz at the traditional ceremony.
- a cotton shalwar kamiz
- In summer, a light cotton shalwar kamiz is very comfortable.
- a shalwar kamiz with a dupatta
- She matched her shalwar kamiz with a silk dupatta.
Synonyms and how they differ
- salwar kameez
- A common alternative spelling; 'shalwar kamiz' is the form used in this dictionary but both are widely understood.
Commonly confused: shalwar kamiz or sari?
shalwar kamiz vs sari
A sari is a single long cloth draped around the body, not a two-piece outfit like a shalwar kamiz.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'shalwar kamiz' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Shalwar kamiz' is an item of clothing, so it is worn. The other options use verbs that do not fit clothing.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “shalwar kamiz”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.