A long, loose-fitting outer garment worn by many Muslim women, cut to cover the body from shoulders to ankles. Modern abayas come in open (front-opening) and closed (one-piece) styles and in fabrics such as nida, crepe, linen and satin.

A headscarf that covers the hair, neck and often the chest, worn by Muslim women as part of modest dress. Hijabs are named by fabric (chiffon, jersey, modal, satin, cotton, viscose, silk) and by construction (instant, amira, khimar).

A long, cape-like head covering that drapes over the head and shoulders, usually reaching the waist, hips or knees, worn for prayer or everyday full coverage.

A long outer garment that covers the whole body except the face and hands; in modern use it often refers to a one-piece hooded dress, and the term overlaps with abaya.

A lightweight, matte polyester fabric with a smooth drape and crease resistance — the standard fabric for Dubai-style abayas.

A soft, silky fibre made from beech-wood pulp; modal hijabs are lightweight, breathable, matte and drape fluidly, with enough grip to wear with a single pin.

What is a amira hijab?

A two-piece pull-on hijab consisting of a fitted cap and a tube-style scarf, popular for its ease and for girls' and school wear.

What is a instant hijab?

A pre-sewn, ready-to-wear hijab that is pulled on like a hood with no wrapping or pins required.

A loose, ankle-length robe with wide sleeves, worn as a dress or over other clothes; kaftans range from casual beach cover-ups to embroidered occasion wear.

A face veil that covers the face below the eyes, worn with a hijab or khimar by some Muslim women.

What is a underscarf?

A fitted cap or tube worn under a hijab to keep hair in place, add opacity and give the outer scarf grip; styles include tube, tie-back and satin-lined.

What is a prayer dress?

A one-piece, floor-length garment with an attached or separate hijab, designed to be slipped on over everyday clothes for salah (prayer).

What is a swim hijab?

A close-fitting head covering made from chlorine-resistant swim fabric that stays in place while swimming and dries quickly.

What is a sport hijab?

A one-piece, pull-on hijab made from lightweight, sweat-wicking technical fabric, designed to stay in place during running and gym training without pins.

Hijab, Niqab & Khimar Meanings: Modest Wear Glossary

Q: What is a burkini?

A modest swimsuit that covers the body from head to ankle — typically a long-sleeve tunic top, swim leggings and a swim hijab — made from swim fabric so the wearer can swim freely in pools and the sea.

Hijab meaning: in Arabic, hijab means a screen or cover. In everyday use it is the headscarf many Muslim women wear over the hair and neck, leaving the face visible. This glossary gives the plain meaning of every modest-wear term you will meet: head coverings such as the niqab, burka and khimar, garments such as the abaya and jilbab, and the fabrics they are made from.

Head coverings

The main difference between head coverings is how much of the face they cover. For a side-by-side table, see hijab vs niqab vs burka and the other garments compared.

Hijab

Meaning: Arabic for a screen or cover. In everyday use, a headscarf that covers the hair, ears and neck, and often the chest, with the face visible. Hijabs are named by fabric (modal, jersey, chiffon, satin, cotton, viscose) and by construction (wrapped, instant, amira). To learn the wraps, see hijab styles, step by step. Shop hijabs.

Niqab

Meaning: a face veil. It covers the face below the eyes, or leaves a narrow opening for them, and is tied over a hijab or khimar. It is usually worn with an abaya or jilbab. Shop niqabs.

Burka (burqa)

Meaning: a single garment that covers the head, face and body, with a mesh panel over the eyes. It is most associated with Afghanistan. A niqab and a burka are different garments, although "burka" is sometimes used loosely for any face veil. Hiabaya does not sell burkas.

Khimar

Meaning: Arabic for a covering. A long, cape-like head covering that drapes over the head, shoulders and chest, reaching the waist, hips or knees. It is worn over an abaya, dress or prayer skirt, for prayer or for fuller everyday coverage. Shop khimars.

Chador

Meaning: a full-length, semicircular cloak draped over the head and held closed at the front, leaving the face visible. It is traditional in Iran.

Shayla

Meaning: a long rectangular scarf wrapped loosely around the head and pinned at the shoulder, common in the Gulf. Any long chiffon or modal hijab can be worn shayla-style.

Amira hijab

Meaning: a two-piece pull-on hijab made of a fitted cap and a tube-shaped scarf, popular for its ease and for school wear. Shop amira hijabs.

Instant hijab

Meaning: a pre-sewn, ready-to-wear hijab that you pull on like a hood, with no wrapping or pins. See how to wear an instant hijab. Shop instant hijabs.

Underscarf (undercap)

Meaning: a fitted cap or tube worn under a hijab to keep hair in place, add opacity and give the outer scarf something to grip. Styles include tube, tie-back and bonnet caps. Shop underscarves.

Turban

Meaning: for women, a head wrap or pre-tied cap that covers the hair and leaves the neck and ears visible. It is worn as a style of its own or under a scarf. See how to tie a headscarf. Shop turbans.

Garments

Abaya

Meaning: Arabic for a cloak. A long, loose outer garment that covers the body from the shoulders to the ankles and is worn with a separate hijab. Abayas come in open (front-opening) and closed (one-piece) styles, in fabrics such as nida, crepe, linen and satin. See the abaya guide. Shop abayas.

Jilbab

Meaning: an outer garment that covers the whole body except the face and hands. In modern shops it usually means a one-piece hooded dress or a two-piece set of a long khimar and skirt, worn without a separate hijab. Shop jilbabs.

Kaftan

Meaning: a loose, ankle-length robe with wide sleeves, worn as a dress or over other clothes. Kaftans range from sheer beach cover-ups to embroidered occasion dresses. Shop kaftans.

Prayer dress

Meaning: a one-piece, floor-length garment with an attached or separate hijab, slipped on over everyday clothes for salah (prayer). See prayer set vs prayer dress. Shop prayer dresses.

Butterfly abaya

Meaning: an abaya with very wide, flowing sleeves that fall from the shoulder in a wing-like line. Shop butterfly abayas.

Kimono abaya

Meaning: an open abaya with straight, wide kimono sleeves and a relaxed body, worn open or belted over an inner dress. Shop kimono abayas.

Swim and sport

Burkini

Meaning: a modest swimsuit that covers the body from head to ankle, usually a long-sleeve tunic top, swim leggings and a swim hijab in swim fabric. See the burkini guide. Shop burkinis.

Swim hijab

Meaning: a close-fitting head covering in swim fabric that stays in place while you swim and dries quickly. Shop swim hijabs.

Sport hijab

Meaning: a one-piece, pull-on hijab in light technical fabric, made to stay in place during running and gym training without pins. Shop sport hijabs.

Fabrics

Meaning: a soft, smooth fibre made from wood pulp, usually beech, related to viscose but stronger when wet. Modal hijabs are light, breathable and matte, with enough grip for a single pin. See what modal fabric is. Shop modal hijabs.

Nida (nidha)

Meaning: a lightweight, matte polyester fabric with a smooth drape that resists creasing. It is the classic fabric for Dubai-style abayas. Shop nida abayas.

Jersey

Meaning: a soft knitted fabric with stretch. Jersey hijabs grip well and can often be worn without pins. Shop jersey hijabs.

Chiffon

Meaning: a light, sheer woven fabric with a soft sheen. Chiffon hijabs are airy and elegant and are usually worn over an underscarf. Shop chiffon hijabs.

For how each fabric wears day to day, see the hijab fabric guide.

Other words you will see

Modest fashion

Meaning: clothing that covers more of the body, usually with long sleeves, long hemlines and loose cuts. It is worn for faith, culture or personal preference, by women of many backgrounds. Shop modest dresses.