Towel Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
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towel
1 of 2noun
tow·el ˈtau̇(-ə)l Synonyms of towel : an absorbent cloth or paper for wiping or dryingtowel
2 of 2verb
toweled or towelled ; toweling or towellingtransitive verb
: to rub or dry (something, such as the body) with a towelintransitive verb
: to use a towel to dry oneself toweled down after swimmingExamples of towel in a Sentence
Noun She dried her hair with a towel . Here's a towel to wipe up the spill. Recent Examples on the Web Noun Wrightsville Beach is the main one: four miles long, with plenty of smooth sand for spreading out your towels , and almost never horrifically crowded, even in peak season. John Jeremiah Sullivan, Travel + Leisure , 24 July 2024 Flatten them on a towel and gently flip them over after some time to completely dry them. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens , 23 July 2024 Verb Under $20 dorm room essentials: Among the deals are twin XL sheet sets and towel 4-packs for less than $10. Mike Snider, USA TODAY , 8 July 2024 Apply waterproof sunscreen and insect repellent as a barrier, and towel off and shower after leaving the water. Divya Murthy, Detroit Free Press , 24 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for towelThese examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'towel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
EtymologyNoun
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 UseNoun
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Verb
circa 1839, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Time Traveler The first known use of towel was in the 13th century See more words from the same centuryPhrases Containing towel
beach towel dish towel hand towel kitchen towel paper towel roller towel tea towel throw in the towel towel bar towel rack towel rail Turkish towelDictionary Entries Near towel
tow cloth
towel
towel bar
See More Nearby EntriesCite this Entry
Style MLA Chicago APA Merriam-Webster“Towel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/towel. Accessed 31 Jul. 2024.
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towel
1 of 2 noun tow·el ˈtau̇(-ə)l : a cloth or piece of absorbent paper for wiping or dryingtowel
2 of 2 verb toweled or towelled ; toweling or towelling : to rub or dry with a towel : use a towel to dry offMedical Definition
towel
noun tow·el ˈtau̇(-ə)l 1 : an absorbent cloth or paper for wiping or drying 2 British : sanitary napkinMore from Merriam-Webster on towel
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for towel
Nglish: Translation of towel for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of towel for Arabic Speakers
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