pompadour

noun

pom·​pa·​dour ˈpäm-pə-ˌdȯr 

1

a

: a man's style of hairdressing in which the hair is combed into a high mound in front

b

: a woman's style of hairdressing in which the hair is brushed into a loose full roll around the face

2

: hair dressed in a pompadour

pompadoured

ˈpäm-pə-ˌdȯrd 

adjective

Did you know?

The Marquise de Pompadour, mistress of the French King Louis XV, exerted much influence over French tastes in the mid-18th century. The Marquise continues to exert linguistic influence on English, and not only through the hairdos styled after her. Pompadour is also used (though now rarely) for a pink or crimson fabric and for a textile design of small printed or woven floral effects. It's also the name of a small South American bird that is bright reddish-purple with white wings.

Examples of pompadour in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While the groom’s friends just want to drink and relax, Hernandez — sporting a pompadour wig, flashy red jacket and perfect posture — arrives late and takes over the room. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 18 Nov. 2025

Glitter’s matching hair was pulled into a tall pompadour; only two front pieces hanging out on the sides of the face. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025

The new Camaro’s fierce-looking body comprises acres of metal, a front end that comes to a point as sharp as the back of Brian Setzer’s pompadour, three needless but snappy trim lines forward of the rear quarter panels and a non-functioning hood scoop. —Josh Max, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

Undercut Pixie While Halle Berry has the most classic look, 2010s Rihanna endorsed the pompadour, contrast cut version of pixies. —Essence, 21 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Marquise de Pompadour

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

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Kids Definition

pompadour

noun

pom·​pa·​dour ˈpäm-pə-ˌdō(ə)r 

-ˌdȯ(ə)r

: a hairdo in which the hair is combed high over the forehead

also : hair dressed in this style

Biographical Definition

Pompadour

biographical name

Pom·​pa·​dour ˈpäm-pə-ˌdȯr 

-ˌdu̇r

Madame de 1721–1764 Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson; mistress of Louis XV