shawl

1 of 2

noun

: a square or oblong usually fabric garment or wrapper used especially as a covering for the head or shoulders

shawl

2 of 2

verb

shawled; shawling; shawls

transitive verb

: to wrap in or as if in a shawl

Examples of shawl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The latter were sometimes embroidered on his signature woolen cardigans and shawls bearing stylized versions of placid landscapes, bandana patterns or geometric motifs. Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025 Spring’s color is a light heather gray—and Kamali’s spring collection features the fabric in an oversized shawl cardigan, bottoms, skirts, shorts and dress pieces. Catherine Salfino, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
Indeed, genuine Kashmiri shawls in that period could cost £200 or more. H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 6 Aug. 2025 But Pashmina shawls from Jammu & Kashmir/Ladakh, Kutch Embroidery from Gujarat, Chendamanglam Dhoties from Kerala and Madhur Kathi mats from West Bengal also fall into this category. Katharina Buchholz, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for shawl

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Persian shāl

First Known Use

Noun

1662, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1812, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shawl was in 1662

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shawl. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

shawl

1 of 2 noun
: a square or oblong piece of woven or knitted fabric used especially as a covering for the head or shoulders

shawl

2 of 2 verb
: to wrap in or as if in a shawl

More from Merriam-Webster on shawl

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