Basic Details
Word: Almirah
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A tall, free-standing cupboard, often of steel or wood, used to keep clothes and other things. The word is used mainly in Indian English.
Synonyms: cupboard, wardrobe, closet
Word origin: Comes through Hindi almari from Portuguese armario, a cupboard.
How to Spell Almirah
Syllables: al - mi - rah
Tricky part: There is one l, an i after the m, and a final h that is not clearly heard.
Watch out for: almairah, almirha, allmirah
Memory tip: Say it slowly, al-mi-rah, and finish with the ah of cheetah and hurrah.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Ma keeps the festival saris in the steel almirah.
Example 2: My school uniform is on the top shelf of the almirah.
Example 3: The almirah door creaks every time I open it.
Fun Fact
The Portuguese armario goes back to Latin armarium, a cupboard or chest, a word formed from arma, meaning tools or weapons.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:
alm_ra_
a) i, k
b) e, h
c) i, h
d) a, h
Show answer
c) i, h. The vowel after m is i, and an h closes the word.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. almirah 2. curtian 3. matress 4. chandelear
a) a tall cupboard for storing clothes
b) a thick soft pad to sleep on
c) a piece of cloth hung at a window
d) a hanging light with many branches
Show answer
a) a tall cupboard for storing clothes. Mattress needs two t's, curtain an ai and chandelier an ier; almirah is the one spelt right.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence to form a meaningful word:
Papa fixed a new lock on the wooden hiramla in my room.
a) armour
b) almanac
c) almirah
d) mirror
Show answer
c) almirah. Almanac and armour have no h or i, and mirror needs more r's and an o.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What would you most likely keep in an almirah?
a) a running tap
b) folded clothes
c) a live goat
d) a hot stove
Show answer
b) folded clothes
2. Which word is closest in meaning to almirah?
a) carpet
b) wardrobe
c) window
d) doorway
Show answer
b) wardrobe
