caftan

1 of 2

noun (1)

caf·​tan ˈkaf-(ˌ)tan 

variants or less commonly kaftan

: a usually cotton or silk ankle-length garment with long sleeves that is common throughout the Middle East

kaftan

2 of 2

noun (2)

kaf·​tan

less common spelling of caftan

: a usually cotton or silk ankle-length garment with long sleeves that is common throughout the Middle East

Examples of caftan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

At 52 inches long with three-quarter sleeves, this caftan provides generous coverage while still feeling light and airy. —Amanda Eyre Ward, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2026

This time inspired by water and its movement, Maccapani Missoni reinforced her penchant for flowy caftans and fluid tunics, as well as an easy-to-approach spirit channeled via blouses cut in asymmetrical proportions and wide and loose pants. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 22 May 2026

Noun

One-pieces can be dressed up with a vibrant sarong or a boho sundress; bikinis look great with linen pants or breezy shorts; poolside dinners call for a breezy kaftan or resort-ready linen set over your tankini. —India Roby, Glamour, 28 May 2026

Back at the shoot, Saar is wearing one of these leather necklaces, paired with a Gucci kaftan that makes her petite frame look 20 feet tall. —Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Russian & Turkish; Russian kaftan, from Turkish, from Persian qaftān

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1591, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for caftan

• afghan
• bedpan
• began
• caveman
• chapin
• cyan
• deadpan
• dextran
• divan
• doorman
• fishman
• flagman

Kids Definition

caftan

noun

caf·​tan

variants also kaftan

kaf-ˈtan, 

ˈkaf-ˌtan

: an ankle-length garment with long sleeves that is common throughout the Middle East