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

First cut the lettuce, then make sure to wash the lettuce under running water and dry it thoroughly on clean towels or in a salad spinner before storage. —Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2025

Access to vacuum stalls and clean microfiber towels is included with each wash, said Bianca Morris, marketing director for the company. —Susan Gill Vardon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Dec. 2025

Verb

Store summer shoes for the season and get a new shoe mat, tray, or towel specifically to keep winter boots from tracking in the snow. —Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Dec. 2025

Rinse it with hot water and place it on a rack or towel to dry. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025

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