SKIP TO CONTENT

towel

/ˈtaʊ(ə)l/

/ˈtaʊəl/

Other forms: towels; towelling; toweling; towelled; toweled

When you get out of the shower, the first thing you do is grab a towel and dry off. A towel is a piece of material that's used to absorb moisture.

Towels come in many sizes and styles, from enormous terrycloth beach towels to sheets of paper towel you use for wiping up kitchen spills. What they have in common is absorbency—they're made to soak up liquids. You can also use towel as a verb: "The dog is soaking wet! Towel her off before you let her on your bed!" And when you've utterly given up on something, use the boxing-related phrase "throw in the towel."

Definitions of towel
  1. noun
    a rectangular piece of absorbent cloth (or paper) for drying or wiping
    see moresee less
    types:
    show 7 types...
    hide 7 types...
    bath towel
    a large towel; to dry yourself after a bath
    beach towel
    very large towel to dry yourself after swimming
    dish towel, dishtowel, tea towel
    a towel for drying dishes
    face towel, hand towel
    a small towel used to dry the hands or face
    paper towel
    a disposable towel made of absorbent paper
    roller towel
    a towel with the ends sewn together, hung on a roller
    Turkish towel, terry towel
    a bath towel with rough loose pile
    type of:
    piece of cloth, piece of material
    a separate part consisting of fabric
  2. verb
    wipe with a towel
    towel your hair dry”
    see moresee less
    type of:
    pass over, wipe
    rub with a circular motion
Pronunciation
US

/ˈtaʊ(ə)l/

UK

/ˈtaʊəl/

Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘towel'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family
EDITOR'S CHOICE

Look up towel for the last time

Close your vocabulary gaps with personalized learning that focuses on teaching the words you need to know.

VocabTrainer - Vocabulary.com's Vocabulary Trainer