What does burkini mean?
A burkini is a type of swimsuit designed to provide full body coverage while allowing the wearer to swim comfortably. Typically consisting of a loose-fitting tunic top, leggings, and an attached or separate head covering, it leaves only the face, hands, and feet exposed. The garment was developed in the mid-2000s by the Australian designer Aheda Zanetti, whose company Ahiida registered it under that name, and its name blends 'burka' — a term for full-body Islamic dress — with 'bikini'. Burkini is used as a countable noun in English, appearing most often in discussions of fashion, religion, and public policy. Although the word is descriptively neutral, it has taken on social and political weight: bans on the burkini in several French municipalities in 2016 drew international attention and legal challenge, making the term familiar well beyond communities where such swimwear is worn. Related terms include modest swimwear and swim hijab.
nounA full-body swimsuit designed for Muslim women, combining a hooded, loose-fitting top and leggings that cover the arms and legs while remaining suitable for swimming. It was created to allow modest dress while participating in beach and water activities.
- A two-piece modest swimsuit covering the whole body except the face, hands, and feet, designed primarily for Muslim women.
"She swam confidently in the surf, wearing a navy burkini she had bought for the holiday."
"The lifeguard noticed nothing unusual about the swimmer in the black burkini."
"Several French coastal towns made headlines after banning the burkini on their beaches in 2016."
Standard English plural, formed regularly with -s.
"The shop stocks burkinis in a range of colors and lengths."
The burkini was coined as a portmanteau of 'burka' and 'bikini' — and it sparked some of Europe's fiercest debates about clothing and public life.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of burkini
The word burkini is a modern portmanteau combining 'burka' (or 'burqa'), a term for enveloping Islamic women's garments derived through Persian and Urdu from Arabic sources, and 'bikini', the English name of the two-piece swimsuit popularized after 1946. It was coined in the mid-2000s by Aheda Zanetti, an Australian designer of Lebanese descent who created the garment and trademarked the name for her label. The variant spelling 'burqini' reflects the same blend using the 'burqa' spelling.
How burkini is actually used
The word is neutral in register but can carry political connotations because of debates over modest swimwear in Western countries. The spelling 'burqini' also occurs; 'burkini' is the more common form. The garment itself is sometimes called a 'modest swimsuit' or 'full-coverage swimsuit' in retail contexts.
Easily confused with burkini
A burqa is a full-face veil worn as everyday clothing by some Muslim women, whereas a burkini is a swimsuit designed specifically for swimming.