Balaclava
bal-uh-KLAH-vuh
/ˌbæləˈklɑːvə/
A close-fitting garment covering the whole head and neck except for parts of the face, typically made of wool or synthetic fleece.
Refers to a highly functional, full-coverage headpiece used in extreme cold, skiing, or military operations, leaving only the eyes or face exposed.
The story behind the word. The garment is named after the Battle of Balaclava (1854) during the Crimean War. British soldiers, suffering from freezing temperatures and inadequate supplies, were sent hand-knitted woolen hoods that covered the entire head and neck, which they named after the town.
Word relationships
- ski mask: Ski mask is a common, informal term, while balaclava is the precise, technical name for the garment.
- visor: A visor only shields the eyes from sun and leaves the head completely exposed.
Commonly confused with
- Baklava: Baklava is a rich, sweet pastry made of layers of filo dough, chopped nuts, and syrup, while a balaclava is a warm head covering.
Word family
- balaclavas (Noun): Plural form of balaclava.
Collocations
- fleece balaclava
- knit balaclava
- tactical balaclava
- ski balaclava
Example sentences
- "He pulled the black balaclava over his head, leaving only his eyes exposed to the freezing mountain wind." Describing extreme winter sports gear.
- "The soldiers wore heavy balaclavas knitted by women back home to survive the brutal winter siege." A real citation from a historical account of the Crimean War.
Memory hook
Imagine wearing a warm 'BALACLAVA' while eating a sweet piece of 'BAKLAVA' in the freezing cold. Battle-tested head protection.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'baklava' (the sweet, layered pastry).
Fun facts
- Balaclavas are also worn by race car drivers under their helmets, but theirs are made of fire-retardant Nomex fabric rather than wool.
Explore more words
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.