sheitel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / SpecializedSpecialized / Religious / Cultural
Quick answer
What does “sheitel” mean?
A wig worn by some Orthodox Jewish married women as a form of head covering, in adherence to religious modesty laws.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A wig worn by some Orthodox Jewish married women as a form of head covering, in adherence to religious modesty laws.
A wig, specifically one that conforms to religious standards of modesty (tzniut), often made from human hair, worn to cover a woman's natural hair after marriage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in meaning or usage, as the term is tied to a specific cultural/religious group present in both regions.
Connotations
Carries identical religious and cultural connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialized in both UK and US English, encountered primarily in contexts discussing Jewish customs.
Grammar
How to Use “sheitel” in a Sentence
[Subject: Woman] + wears + [Object: a sheitel][Subject: Sheitel] + is made of + [Material: human hair/synthetic fiber]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; potentially in niche commerce (e.g., 'a sheitel boutique').
Academic
Found in religious, anthropological, or cultural studies texts.
Everyday
Extremely rare outside specific religious communities.
Technical
Not applicable in general technical contexts; specific to religious custom.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sheitel”
- Misspelling as 'scheitel' or 'shaytel'.
- Using it as a general term for any wig.
- Incorrect pronunciation with a hard 'sh' as in 'sheer' instead of the Yiddish/standard English 'sh' as in 'shay'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it is a wig, the term 'sheitel' specifically denotes a wig worn by married Orthodox Jewish women for the religious purpose of covering their own hair, often conforming to specific modesty standards.
No. It is a practice primarily found among certain groups within Orthodox Judaism. Many other Jewish women do not follow this custom.
The word comes from Yiddish (שייטל), which itself derives from German 'Scheitel' meaning 'parting (of the hair)' or 'crown of the head'.
Yes, sheitels can be made from both human hair and synthetic fibers, though there may be differing religious opinions on the acceptability of synthetic wigs.
A wig worn by some Orthodox Jewish married women as a form of head covering, in adherence to religious modesty laws.
Sheitel is usually specialized / religious / cultural in register.
Sheitel: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃeɪt(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃeɪt(ə)l/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SHAKE' (shei) a 'TALE' (tel) – a story about hair (a tale) that you shake out every morning (a wig).
Conceptual Metaphor
COVERING IS MODESTY / RELIGIOUS OBLIGATION IS AN ITEM OF CLOTHING.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'sheitel' primarily associated with?