towel
1 of 2noun
tow·el ˈtau̇(-ə)l 
: an absorbent cloth or paper for wiping or drying
towel
2 of 2verb
toweled or towelled; toweling or towelling
transitive verb
: to rub or dry (something, such as the body) with a towel
intransitive verb
: to use a towel to dry oneself
toweled down after swimming
Example Sentences
Noun She dried her hair with a towel. Here's a towel to wipe up the spill.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kathleen Squires, WSJ, 26 Aug. 2022 Remove and place the colored egg on a paper towel to dry. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2022 Both foodies and pun lovers will appreciate the relatable sentiment on this decorative dish towel. Cassidy Olsen, Good Housekeeping, 5 Aug. 2022 In the first shot, the model showed off her posing expertise while sitting cross-legged on a navy striped towel. Seventeen, 1 Aug. 2022 Step 2Place grilled corn on a dish towel over a cutting board, and carefully use a knife to cut and remove kernels. People Staff, PEOPLE.com, 30 July 2022 Over the weekend, this process went on for nearly 15 hours before the senators finally threw in the towel. Matt Ford, The New Republic, 9 Aug. 2022 Affleck held hands with Sam—who was barefoot and wrapped up in a towel—while leaving the local Pacific Palisades pool. Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 1 Aug. 2022 The couple were spotted hugging, laughing and cuddling in a towel. Sydni Ellis, PEOPLE.com, 25 July 2022 Pete Caldera, USA TODAY, 8 Aug. 2022 Pack your ball, sneakers, and gym towel in this great duffel. Mark Stock, Men's Health, 26 Aug. 2022 If cleaning inside, consider laying down a plastic drop cloth or towel to protect your floor. Andrea Crowley, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2022 Also bring a cutting board, aluminum foil, a scrubbing pad, and towel. Erin E. Williams, BostonGlobe.com, 10 July 2022 Additional thoughtful touches include heated bathroom floors and towel racks alongside luxurious amenities like Smeg kettles and coffee makers, Klipsch speakers, Once Milano linens, and Dedar and Rubelli textiles. Christina Liao, Forbes, 23 May 2022 Then, wrap your hair in a shower cap, T-shirt, or towel for 30 minutes. Harper's Bazaar Staff, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 Apr. 2022 Place a pillow or towel on the floor, close to and in front of a couch or wall. Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 30 Sep. 2019 While blow-drying hair can cause significant damage and breakage, so can towel drying. Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2022 See More
Noun
Store flat on a paper towel in the refrigerator until ready to grill. Kathleen Squires, WSJ, 26 Aug. 2022 Remove and place the colored egg on a paper towel to dry. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2022 Both foodies and pun lovers will appreciate the relatable sentiment on this decorative dish towel. Cassidy Olsen, Good Housekeeping, 5 Aug. 2022 In the first shot, the model showed off her posing expertise while sitting cross-legged on a navy striped towel. Seventeen, 1 Aug. 2022 Step 2Place grilled corn on a dish towel over a cutting board, and carefully use a knife to cut and remove kernels. People Staff, PEOPLE.com, 30 July 2022 Over the weekend, this process went on for nearly 15 hours before the senators finally threw in the towel. Matt Ford, The New Republic, 9 Aug. 2022 Affleck held hands with Sam—who was barefoot and wrapped up in a towel—while leaving the local Pacific Palisades pool. Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 1 Aug. 2022 The couple were spotted hugging, laughing and cuddling in a towel. Sydni Ellis, PEOPLE.com, 25 July 2022 Verb
That was the pitch that detonated Boone, who came out of the dugout, towel around his neck, and lit into Hickox, who had already tossed him. Pete Caldera, USA TODAY, 8 Aug. 2022 Pack your ball, sneakers, and gym towel in this great duffel. Mark Stock, Men's Health, 26 Aug. 2022 If cleaning inside, consider laying down a plastic drop cloth or towel to protect your floor. Andrea Crowley, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2022 Also bring a cutting board, aluminum foil, a scrubbing pad, and towel. Erin E. Williams, BostonGlobe.com, 10 July 2022 Additional thoughtful touches include heated bathroom floors and towel racks alongside luxurious amenities like Smeg kettles and coffee makers, Klipsch speakers, Once Milano linens, and Dedar and Rubelli textiles. Christina Liao, Forbes, 23 May 2022 Then, wrap your hair in a shower cap, T-shirt, or towel for 30 minutes. Harper's Bazaar Staff, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 Apr. 2022 Place a pillow or towel on the floor, close to and in front of a couch or wall. Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 30 Sep. 2019 While blow-drying hair can cause significant damage and breakage, so can towel drying. Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English towaille, from Anglo-French tuaille, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German dwahila towel; akin to Old High German dwahan to wash
First Known Use
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Verb
circa 1839, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Phrases Containing towel
Kids Definition
towel
noun
tow·el ˈtau̇-əl
: a cloth or piece of absorbent paper for wiping or drying
Medical Definition
towel
noun
tow·el ˈtau̇(-ə)l
1
: an absorbent cloth or paper for wiping or drying
2
British : sanitary napkin
towel
noun
as in napkin
a piece of cloth used for drying things She dried her hair with a towel. Here's a towel to wipe up the spill. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- napkin
- handkerchief
- towelette
- tissue
- serviette
- bandana
- hankie
- bandanna
- kerchief
