babushka

noun

ba·​bush·​ka bə-ˈbüsh-kə How to pronounce babushka (audio) -ˈbu̇sh- How to pronounce babushka (audio)
ba-
Synonyms of babushkanext
1
a
: a usually triangularly folded kerchief for the head
b
: a head covering (such as a scarf) resembling a babushka
2
a
: grandmother
Until my own babushka's generation very specific clothes were assigned to specific classes, specific hairstyles distinguishing married from unmarried women.—Francine du Plessix Gray
b
: an elderly Russian woman
… I jostled among babushkas clutching bags of food for a place on the bus …—Gary Lee

Illustration of babushka

Illustration of babushka
  • babushka 1a

Synonyms of babushka

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Examples of babushka in a Sentence

an elderly Russian woman with a babushka
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The house that was hit, next door, was where a babushka lived. — Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025 But the real standout of Lawrence’s outfit was her coordinating headscarf, draped over her head and tied under her chin like a babushka. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 29 Feb. 2024 These women were regularly substituted and replaced, so a new face in the crowd was unlikely to draw attention from the other babushkas or from the militia. — Dawn Klavon, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024 Become a Subscriber Sonia’s reproach is not the innocent hyperbole of a babushka. — Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2023 See All Example Sentences for babushka

Word History

Etymology

Russian, grandmother, diminutive of baba old woman

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of babushka was in 1938

Browse Nearby Words

Bābur
babushka
Babuyan
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Babushka.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/babushka. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

babushka

noun
ba·​bush·​ka bə-ˈbüsh-kə How to pronounce babushka (audio) -ˈbu̇sh- How to pronounce babushka (audio)
: a kerchief usually folded into a triangle and worn on the head
Etymology

from Russian babushka, "grandmother"

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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