caftan

American  

[kaf-tan, kaf-tan] / ˈkæf tæn, kæfˈtæn /

Or kaftan

noun

1. a long garment having long sleeves and tied at the waist by a girdle, worn under a coat in the Middle East.

2. a long, full, usually collarless robe with wide sleeves that is worn at home for lounging or entertaining or at the beach as a cover-up.

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caftan British  

/ -ˌtɑːn, ˈkæfˌtæn /

noun

1. a variant spelling of kaftan

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Other Word Forms

• caftaned adjective

Etymology

Origin of caftan

First recorded in 1585–95; from Russian kaftán, from Turkish, from Persian qaftān

Explanation

A caftan is a loose, draped garment that's worn like a long tunic or a dress down to the ankles. Spending a day at the beach? You might want to bring a caftan to throw on over your bathing suit! Various groups of Middle Easterners have worn caftans (also spelled kaftan), going back as far as ancient Mesopotamia. A caftan's fabric depends on the climate — in warm countries, they're made of lightweight cotton or silk, while in cooler places, caftans might be made of wool, often worn as heavy coats over other clothing. During the mid-20th century, caftans became stylish in the U.S., and by the 1970s, they were associated with the hippie counterculture.

Example Sentences

In 2023 Chamlee sold a 1960s caftan that didn’t fit her—but turned out to be made by artist Pegge Hopper—for $600 on eBay.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 8, 2025

The natural next stop is caftan glam and “fun!” prints beloved by aunts who live for blended drinks.

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2025

Using her arms as a makeshift clapboard, a Sudanese woman in a black hijab and black-and-white caftan clapped her hands together, signaling the beginning of the rehearsal.

From New York Times • Jun. 3, 2024

Issa Rae’s feathers on a champagne-colored embroidered tulle caftan fluttered on the carpet.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 15, 2024

“Herzl didn’t wear a caftan and side curls,” Danny said.

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok