Abaya vs. Hijab — What's the Difference?

The abaya "cloak" (colloquially and more commonly, Arabic: عباية‎ ʿabāyah, especially in Literary Arabic: عباءة ʿabā'ah; plural عبايات ʿabāyāt, عباءات ʿabā'āt), sometimes also called an aba, is a simple, loose over-garment, essentially a robe-like dress, worn by some women in parts of the Muslim world including North Africa and Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula. Traditional abayat are black and may be either a large square of fabric draped from the shoulders or head or a long kaftan.

A hijab (; Arabic: حجاب‎, romanized: ḥijāb, pronounced [ħɪˈdʒaːb] in common English usage) is a religious veil worn by Muslim women in the presence of any male outside of their immediate family, which usually covers the hair, head and chest. The term can refer to any hair, head, face, or body covering worn by Muslim women that conforms to Islamic standards of modesty.

A loose robe worn by Muslim women, especially in Arabic-speaking regions, covering the body from head to toe or the neck down and often worn with a headscarf and veil. Also called aba.

Any of several cloth head coverings worn by Muslim women.

Synonym of aba

The veiling of women in some Islamic societies, customarily practiced in order to maintain standards of modesty.

(Arabic) a loose black robe from head to toe; traditionally worn by Muslim women

The practice, among Muslim women, of covering the body after the age of puberty in front of non-related adult males.

(countable) A traditional headscarf worn by Muslim women, covering the hair and neck.

A headscarf worn by Muslim women; conceals the hair and neck and usually has a face veil that covers the face

The custom in some Islamic societies of women dressing modestly outside the home;