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

Bands with names like Power-Tuff Girls and Pop Rocks, Hear the Explosion took over the space, filling it with glitter, sequin vests, pigtails, combat boots and classic black goth chokers. —Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025

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

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