towel

1 of 2

noun

tow·​el ˈtau̇(-ə)l 

: an absorbent cloth or paper for wiping or drying

towel

2 of 2

verb

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

Examples 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

Paramount Skydance announced a merger agreement to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, just one day after Netflix threw in the towel. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Feb. 2026

The same district offering pull-apart donut holes and pork sausage for school breakfasts is tossing in the towel on teachers’ waistlines. —Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026

Verb

Squeeze a drop of shampoo onto a damp cloth or towel to wipe away greasy cooking debris from whatever surface was hit, including the counter, stovetop, or backsplash. —Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026

All of the suites have amazing amenities like minibars, towel warmers, gorgeous views, and exquisite furnishings. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Jan. 2026

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

• 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 towel

Rhymes for towel

• bowel
• dowel
• howel
• howell
• vowel
• avowal
• disavowal

Kids Definition

towel

1 of 2 noun

tow·​el ˈtau̇(-ə)l 

: a cloth or piece of absorbent paper for wiping or drying

towel

2 of 2 verb

toweled or towelled; toweling or towelling

: to rub or dry with a towel : use a towel to dry off

Medical Definition

towel

noun

tow·​el ˈtau̇(-ə)l 

1

: an absorbent cloth or paper for wiping or drying

2

British : sanitary napkin