Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

rumal

noun
ru·​mal | \(ˈ)rü¦mäl\
variants: or romal \rōˈm-​ \
plural -s

Definition of rumal 

1 : a usually silk plainwoven Indian fabric used for dresses and handkerchiefs

2 : an often checked cotton or silk kerchief used as a scarf and in India as a headdress by men

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of rumal

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for rumal

Hindi rūmāl, from Persian, from rū face + māl wiper

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about rumal

Dictionary Entries near rumal

ruly

rum

rumaki

rumal

Ruman

Rumanian

Rumansch

Statistics for rumal

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for rumal

The first known use of rumal was in 1622

See more words from the same year

Comments on rumal

What made you want to look up rumal? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

zibeline

a soft lustrous wool fabric with mohair

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Late Autumn 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

  • frosted-autumn-leaves
  • Which is a synonym of yahoo?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games