pigtail

noun

pig·​tail ˈpig-ˌtāl 

plural pigtails

1

: tobacco in small twisted strands or rolls

2

: a lock of hair that has been gathered and banded or braided together at the back or side of the head

The hostess wore a peasant blouse and skirt and had her hair done up in a single thick pigtail …

—John Updike

—often used in the plural for a hairstyle in which two such locks or braids of hair are worn on either side of the head

a little girl in pigtails

… there's another hairstyle you should definitely try this year: Pigtails … I mean twin high ponytails that sprout from the top or sides of your head and kind of look like animal ears …

—Erica Smith

Examples of pigtail in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At an inspection station, a woman in pigtails and a surgical mask was in the process of checking a green polo. —Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025

After nearly three years in the shadows, Wednesday is back with black pigtails and a withering gaze. —Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025

Iron Mountain Road – Tight pigtail turns and narrow tunnels. —Josh Max, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025

The 8-year-old styled her hair in curly pigtails, while her mom wore a loose half-up, half-down style. —Charna Flam, People.com, 15 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pigtail

• airmail
• assail
• avail
• bewail
• blackmail
• cattail
• cocktail
• curtail
• derail
• detail
• dovetail
• email

Kids Definition

pigtail

noun

pig·​tail -ˌtāl 

: a tight braid of hair

pigtailed

-ˌtāld

adjective