: a lock or tuft of hair growing in a different direction from the rest of the hair
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebThe baby had rosy cheeks and resembled his oldest brother, Will, except with his own look: surprisingly blond hair, a cowlick already visible in the yellow fuzz.jsonline.com, 29 Apr. 2022 Jones is an odd strain of rebel — not a slick James Dean clone, but a cowlick that can’t help doing its own thing.New York Times, 1 Apr. 2022 Hochman has thick brown hair, with a disobedient cowlick in front, and large brown eyes. Sam Adler-bell, The New Republic, 3 Dec. 2021 Sprite has a cowlick mop of Peter Pan-ish hair, for a nonbinary Chucky look. Libby Gelman-waxner, The New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2021 Nobody wants to be staring at themselves, focused on that cowlick or wondering whether your concealer is hiding that awful stress pimple on your chin. Ashley Stahl, Forbes, 9 Apr. 2021 For several years, my hair had been flat, the cowlick too pronounced, the texture different.Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2020 No amount of combing could tame the stubborn cowlick in his short hair.oregonlive, 15 Oct. 2019 Got hair thats super fine, kinky-curly, damaged, or full of cowlicks? Jessica Teich, USA TODAY, 1 May 2018 See More
Word History
First Known Use
1598, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
cowlick
noun
cow·lick ˈkau̇-ˌlik
: a small bunch of hair that sticks out and will not lie flat