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
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This marvel of engineering shows off the profile of Washington (west of the main memorial entrance) and rock formations including the Needle’s Eye and Cathedral Spires, Black Hills overlooks, switchback climbs and pigtail bridges. Lisa Meyers McClintick, USA Today, 21 June 2025 Hayden said to Costa that her love for reading was sparked by the 1946 children’s book Bright April, which followed a Black Girl Scout with pigtails and her family. Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 8 June 2025 Ortega did not walk the red carpet in Wednesday's trademark pigtail braids, but instead wore her hair parted to the side and styled in soft curls at the ends, with her bangs shaped and sculpted into a perfect twirly little swoop atop her forehead. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 2 June 2025 The Belfast actor shared a photo of himself in a blue wig (complete with pigtails!), red dress and gold heels, courtesy of his daughters, Dulcie, Elva, and Alberta. Andrea Wurzburger, People.com, 11 June 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 19 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

pigtail

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

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