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

Examples of pompadour in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Sly’s style followed a long Black fashion lineage of high drama and imagination, picking up traditions set by the likes of Gladys Bentley’s gender-bending tuxedos, Little Richard’s pompadour and makeup, and The Supreme’s coordinated costume. —Hillary Crosley Coker, Rolling Stone, 11 June 2025

His other iconic hair eras include a pompadour, sleek combovers, cornrows, and locs. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 28 May 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