pigtail

noun

pig·​tail ˈpig-ˌtāl How to pronounce pigtail (audio)
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 pigtailJohn 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 Equally unhinged is her extraordinarily long white wig, sometimes styled with braided pigtails. Jihane Bousfiha, Vulture, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for pigtail

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pigtail was in 1681

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Cite this Entry

“Pigtail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pigtail. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

pigtail

noun
pig·​tail -ˌtāl How to pronounce pigtail (audio)
: a tight braid of hair
pigtailed
-ˌtāld
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on pigtail

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