JILBAB is a loose-fitting outer garment worn by some Muslim women, covering the body from head to feet except the face and hands. In word games, JILBAB is a valuable 6-letter word worth 17 points in Scrabble, featuring the high-scoring J tile and double B, making it a strategic multicultural vocabulary addition.
No. JILBAB is not in the Scrabble-style word list used by our tools (proper nouns, abbreviations and most slang are excluded), so it cannot be played in Scrabble, Words With Friends or Wordfeud. If it were allowed, its tiles would add up to 17 points in Scrabble.
| Letter | J | I | L | B | A | B | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scrabble | 8 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 17 |
| Words With Friends | 10 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 22 |
| Wordfeud | 10 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 21 |
Jilbab represents both a garment and a concept—modesty expressed through clothing that reflects religious devotion, cultural identity, and personal choice. Worn by Muslim women across diverse cultures from Indonesia to Morocco, the jilbab takes many forms while maintaining its essential purpose: providing coverage that allows women to participate in public life while observing their interpretation of Islamic dress codes.
The term derives from Arabic "jalabib" (singular: jilbab), mentioned in the Quran (33:59) where believing women are instructed to draw their outer garments around themselves for recognition and protection. Islamic scholars debate the exact requirements, with interpretations ranging from loose-fitting clothing to specific garment styles. This diversity of interpretation reflects Islam's global reach and the intersection of religious texts with local customs.
Stylistically, jilbabs vary tremendously. Indonesian jilbabs often feature bright colors and patterns, reflecting Southeast Asian textile traditions. Middle Eastern versions tend toward solid colors with decorative embroidery. Turkish styles may include matching headscarves and modern tailoring. French and British Muslim women often adapt jilbabs to Western fashion sensibilities, creating fusion styles that maintain modesty while expressing individual identity.
"Jilbab" entered English from Arabic "jilbāb" (جلباب), plural "jalābīb" (جلابيب), meaning "outer garment" or "cloak." The Arabic root j-l-b relates to bringing or drawing something over oneself. The word appears in Quran 33:59, making it a classical Arabic term. It reached English through multiple pathways: academic Islamic studies, immigration from Muslim-majority countries, and increased cultural exchange. Variant transliterations include djellaba (North African), jelbab, and gilbab. The word gained dictionary recognition as Muslim populations grew in English-speaking countries, particularly after the 1960s.
Anagrams: no other word uses exactly the letters of JILBAB.
Words inside JILBAB: 19 shorter words can be made from these letters – highest scoring: JIBBJABJIBJAILBLABBIBBAILALBBALLABLIBAB. See all words from JILBAB.