noun
Uncommon
marcel
mah-SEHL
Marcel (noun) means a hairstyle of deep, uniform waves created with a heated curling iron, popular in the early 20th century. Example: “Photos from the 1920s often show women with a fashionable marcel.”
noun
1
A hairstyle of deep, uniform waves created with a heated curling iron, popular in the early 20th century.
"Photos from the 1920s often show women with a fashionable marcel."
"The film's star wore a sleek marcel that perfectly matched its old-fashioned setting."
"She asked the hairdresser for a marcel to go with her vintage dress."
verb
1
To style hair into this kind of wave.
"Like women sitting for two hours under the marcelling irons only to wonder two days later how soon they would need another appointment."
— Toni Morrison, Sula (1973)
"The stylist marcelled her hair for the vintage photoshoot."
"The hairdresser carefully marcelled each section of the bride's hair with hot tongs."
"If you marcel your hair, the waves can last for most of the evening."
How to use marcel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA vintage waved hairstyle made with a curling iron, or the act of creating it.
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Word forms
- Plural
- marcels
- Third person singular
- marcels
- Past tense
- marcelled
Fill the gap
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Photos from the 1920s often show women with a fashionable _____.
Etymology
Named after the technique's association with the French name Marcel, though accounts differ on exactly who invented it.
Rhymes for marcel
See all rhymes for marcel →Frequently asked questions
What does “marcel” mean?
The word “marcel” means a hairstyle of deep, uniform waves created with a heated curling iron, popular in the early 20th century. In plain terms, a vintage waved hairstyle made with a curling iron, or the act of creating it.
How do you pronounce “marcel”?
“Marcel” is pronounced mah-SEHL (/mɑː(ɹ)ˈsɛl/ in IPA).
How do you use “marcel” in a sentence?
Here is “marcel” used in a sentence: “Photos from the 1920s often show women with a fashionable marcel.”
What part of speech is “marcel”?
Depending on how it is used, “marcel” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “marcel” come from?
The word “marcel” comes from French. Named after the technique's association with the French name Marcel, though accounts differ on exactly who invented it.
Is “marcel” a common word?
“Marcel” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “marcel” have?
“Marcel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hairstyle of deep, uniform waves created with a heated curling iron, popular in the early 20th century.
