kaffiyeh

noun kaf·fi·yeh \ kə-ˈfē-ə \

variants: or less commonly keffiyeh

Definition of kaffiyeh

: an Arab headdress consisting of a square of cloth folded to form a triangle and held on by a cord

Recent Examples of kaffiyeh from the Web

Johnnie, from Carlsbad, N.M., pointed out that Holmes fails to mention that the kaffiyeh has become associated with expressing solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

— New York Times, "Letters to the Editor," 23 June 2017
If a white man wearing a kaffiyeh displays cultural appropriation, what about an Arab wearing a suit?

— New York Times, "Letters to the Editor," 23 June 2017
His bloody kaffiyeh still lay in the gutter outside.

— luke mogelson, The New Yorker, "The Desperate Battle to Destroy ISIS," 6 Feb. 2017
At least 60 extras dressed in hijabs, kaffiyehs and polyester-wool blend slacks were herded onto the set to simulate an average shopping day.

— noah shachtman, WIRED, "Mad Men vs. IEDs: Army Wants Anti-Bomb Ad Campaign in Afghanistan," 7 Oct. 2009

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kaffiyeh.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.