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burka

American  
[boor-kuh, bur-] / ˈbʊər kə, ˈbɜr- /
Also burqa,

noun

  1. a loose garment covering the entire body and having a veiled opening for the eyes, worn by Muslim women.


burka British  
/ ˈbɜːkə /

noun

  1. a variant spelling of burqa

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of burka

1830–40; < Urdu burgaʿ < dialectal Arabic burqaʿ

Vocabulary lists containing burka

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She previously wore a burka to parliament in 2017, also calling for a national ban at the time.

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2025

A burka is a one-piece veil that covers the face and body, often leaving just a mesh screen to see through.

From BBC • Nov. 11, 2025

A Taliban spokesperson for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Ministry, which enforces strict religious doctrines, dismissed reports that women were being forced to wear the burka.

From BBC • Nov. 11, 2025

Several countries have introduced restrictions on where the burka or niqab can be worn.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2025

She nodded, fingering the bright pink burka that enveloped Gulmina.

From "Shooting Kabul" by N. H. Senzai