What does yashmak mean?
A yashmak is a close-fitting veil, usually made of black fabric, that covers a woman's face and neck. It is especially associated with Muslim women and with historical depictions of Ottoman court dress, although the term can also describe the garment in artistic, theatrical, or literary contexts. In English, “yashmak” is more particular than “veil”: a niqab commonly covers the face but leaves the head exposed, while a chador is a larger draped garment. The word also carries historical associations with the harem and with Western representations of the Ottoman world, so its modern use may feel old-fashioned or costume-oriented. The term was borrowed from Ottoman Turkish, ultimately from a Turkish verb meaning “to cover.” Today, “hijab” is the more common general English term for a head covering worn by Muslim women, while “yashmak” remains useful for identifying the particular close veil.
nounA close-fitting veil, usually black, worn over the face and neck, especially by Muslim women.
- A close-fitting black veil covering the face and neck, especially associated with Muslim women and historical Ottoman court dress.
"She drew the black yashmak more closely around her face before stepping into the courtyard."
"She adjusted the black yashmak more closely around her face before stepping into the courtyard."
"The dancer appeared onstage in a long black gown and a yashmak that concealed everything but her eyes."
The regular plural is formed by adding -s.
"The collection contains several black yashmaks from the early twentieth century."
A yashmak covers more than a face—and carries Ottoman Turkish into English with it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of yashmak
The English word was borrowed from Ottoman Turkish yaşmak, meaning a veil or covering, which was derived from Turkish yasmak, “to cover.” Turkish yasmak belongs to a wider group of cognate Turkic verbs represented by Uzbek yashmoq and Azerbaijani yasmaq. The borrowing entered English as yashmak, and yasmak is also recorded as an alternative spelling.
Related word forms
How yashmak is actually used
Now uncommon in everyday contemporary English and chiefly historical, literary, cultural, or theatrical. It is more specific than a general veil or hijab and should not be treated as interchangeable with every form of Islamic dress.