towel
TOW-uhl
Towel (noun) means a piece of absorbent cloth used for drying the body or wiping surfaces. Example: “Don't forget to pack a towel when we go to the beach.”
noun
1
A piece of absorbent cloth used for drying the body or wiping surfaces.
"Don't forget to pack a towel when we go to the beach."
"The hotel left a clean towel folded neatly on the end of the bed."
"She wrapped herself in a towel after the shower."
verb
1
To dry something using a towel.
"After the swim, she towelled the dog until its fur was almost dry."
"Please towel the glasses dry so they don't leave marks."
"He got out of the shower and toweled himself dry."
"He toweled off his hair before heading out."
How to use towel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA cloth for drying yourself or something else, or the act of drying with one.
Common mistake
"Throw in the towel" means to give up — it comes from boxing, where a trainer throws a towel into the ring to stop the fight.
Common pairings
throw in the towel
beach towel
towel off
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Word forms
- Plural
- towels
- Third person singular
- towels
- Past tense
- toweled, towelled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Don't forget to pack a _____ when we go to the beach.
Etymology
From Old French toaille, ultimately from a Frankish word related to "washing."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for towel
See all rhymes for towel →Frequently asked questions
What does “towel” mean?
The word “towel” means a piece of absorbent cloth used for drying the body or wiping surfaces. In plain terms, a cloth for drying yourself or something else, or the act of drying with one.
How do you pronounce “towel”?
“Towel” is pronounced TOW-uhl (/ˈtaʊ̯əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “towel” in a sentence?
Here is “towel” used in a sentence: “She wrapped herself in a towel after the shower.”
What part of speech is “towel”?
Depending on how it is used, “towel” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “towel” come from?
The word “towel” comes from Old French. From Old French toaille, ultimately from a Frankish word related to "washing.".
Is “towel” a common word?
“Towel” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “towel” have?
“Towel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a piece of absorbent cloth used for drying the body or wiping surfaces.
What is the difference between a "towel" and a "napkin"?
A towel is an absorbent cloth used for drying the body, hands, or surfaces, while a napkin is a smaller cloth or paper used at meals to wipe the mouth and hands. Napkins belong to dining, whereas towels are for drying after washing or cleaning.
What are the common types of towel?
Common types include the bath towel for drying the body, the hand towel, the beach towel, the tea towel or dish towel for drying dishes, and the paper towel for quick cleaning. Each is named for its typical use.
What is the difference between "towel off" and "towel down"?
Both phrasal verbs mean to dry yourself or someone with a towel, and both are informal. "Towel off" often refers to drying yourself after swimming or exercise, while "towel down" suggests a more thorough rub-down.
