towel

1 of 3

noun (1)

tow·​el ˈtau̇(-ə)l 

: an absorbent cloth or paper for wiping or drying

towel

2 of 3

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

toweling

3 of 3

noun (2)

tow·​el·​ing ˈtau̇-(ə-)liŋ 

variants or towelling

: a cotton or linen fabric often used for making towels

Examples of towel in a Sentence

Noun (1)

She dried her hair with a towel.

Here's a towel to wipe up the spill.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Bathrooms, complete with rainfall showers, are lined with Bellino Turkish cotton bath towels and Salt and Stone products; beds are made up in Cuddledown linens; and Whirlpool washers and dryers are in every unit. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 July 2026

After the animal fell to the table, one patron grabbed it with a towel and took it to the Humane Society in Oceanside. — Seamus Bozeman follow, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026

Verb

Solar power for water heating and towel washing on demand is practiced. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026

Using too much detergent can leave behind residue that clings to towel fibers. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 19 June 2026

Noun

Long overlooked, toweling has really grown into a burgeoning contemporary category. — Angela Tafoya, Architectural Digest, 6 May 2026

The capsule collection of men’s beach, resort and swimwear includes shirts, shorts, swim shorts and accessories in Italian linen, silk and toweling. — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English towaille, from Anglo-French tuaille, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German dwahila towel; akin to Old High German dwahan to wash

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1839, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (2)

1583, in the meaning defined above

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