What does yarmulke mean?
A yarmulke is a small, close-fitting cap traditionally worn by Jewish men and boys, especially in Orthodox and Hasidic communities. It is often knitted, with no brim or visor, and may be worn indoors as well as outdoors. In everyday English, the word is primarily a name for this distinctive Jewish head covering, although dictionaries also use it more broadly for a skullcap. Usage varies within Jewish communities: some speak of a yarmulke as any small Jewish head covering, whereas others distinguish a knitted yarmulke from a crocheted kippah. A yarmulke can also carry strong religious, cultural, and community associations, especially for wearers and observers familiar with Jewish tradition. The word is well established in British and American English and appears in both ordinary conversation and more specific descriptions of Jewish life. Its unusual spelling makes it memorable, but its meaning is straightforward: a snug cap worn on the crown of the head.
nounA small, close-fitting cap, usually knitted, traditionally worn on the head by Jewish men and boys. The term may also be used more broadly for a skullcap.
- A small, usually knitted skullcap worn especially by Jewish men and boys, particularly in Orthodox and Hasidic communities.
- A small, close-fitting skullcap worn by a man, especially as a traditional Jewish head covering.
"He adjusted his black yarmulke before entering the synagogue."
"He adjusted his black yarmulke before entering the synagogue."
"The museum's portrait shows the scholar wearing a dark yarmulke."
The regular plural is yarmulkes; the noun is normally countable.
"The shop sells black, brown, and burgundy yarmulkes."
The word's journey from Polish through Yiddish into English preserves a trace of centuries of Ashkenazi Jewish life in Eastern Europe.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of yarmulke
English yarmulke came through Yiddish, whose spelling preserves the familiar form of the word. It is generally traced to Polish jarmurka, with Russian yarmolka a related form, and the English word was established by the nineteenth century. Its development belongs to the linguistic world of Ashkenazi Jewish communities in Eastern Europe.
Related word forms
How yarmulke is actually used
The word is ordinarily neutral and descriptive in British and American English. Its use in stereotypes, mockery, or careless imitation can be derogatory, and speakers' attitudes toward religious dress should be considered.
Easily confused with yarmulke
The terms overlap, but some Jewish communities distinguish a knitted yarmulke from a crocheted kippah, while others use the words interchangeably.