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Lehenga

Apparel
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A long, flared skirt, worn in South Asian formal dress; in poetry, a symbol of feminine grace, tradition, and cultural identity, often emphasizing movement and festivity.

Detailed Definition
A lehenga is a full-length skirt, often richly embroidered or beaded, worn with a coordinating blouse and draped scarf. It is associated with weddings, celebration, music, and elaborate movement. In poetry, its flare can turn a dancer into a revolving constellation of color, while its weight recalls the labor of makers and the expectations carried into ceremony. The garment can hold both communal joy and private apprehension.
Example
Example in poetry:
The bride’s lehenga moved like a garden beneath the evening lights; In the poem, a red lehenga gathers the voices of relatives into its bright folds; The embroidered lehenga makes each step seem ceremonial; A blue lehenga becomes the color of rain remembered after a wedding
Additional Notes
A lehenga is a long, often flared skirt used in South Asian formal and festive dress. It is typically worn with a choli and dupatta, forming a coordinated ensemble. Fabrics, embroidery, pleats, and volume vary by region and occasion; the term can also refer to the complete outfit in everyday usage.
Also Known As
Ghagra Ghagra Choli
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