towel

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

Recent Examples on the Web

And beginning May 19, the new space will host the Aufguss USA Nationals competition, a sauna ritual in which a master uses a combination of water, ice, and towel techniques to distribute heat. —Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2026

What to pack Bring a swimsuit and towel for the water park, sunscreen for long stretches outdoors, a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated and comfortable walking shoes. —Taylor Haught, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026

Quite often a pitcher would make the last out, walk over to the dugout, sit for a moment, towel off, grab their glove then make a leisurely stroll to the mound. —Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2026

Rinse it with hot water and place it on a rack or towel to dry. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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