Etymology Map
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Kurta

3 stages from Persian to English.

Today it means a loose collarless shirt worn in South Asia

Where does the word "kurta" come from? It comes from Persian kurta, passing through Urdu before entering English (1910s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
kurta
Persian · medieval
"tunic"
a tunic
2
Stage 2 of 3
kurtā
Urdu · medieval
"long shirt"
a long loose shirt
3
Stage 3 of 3
kurta
English · 1910s
"loose shirt"
borrowed as South Asian dress spread
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Read the full story

Kurta’s story begins in Persian: kurta meant “tunic.” A tunic. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Urdu as kurtā. A long loose shirt. It reached English by 1910s as kurta. Borrowed as South Asian dress spread. Today, kurta means a loose collarless shirt worn in South Asia.