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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The toddler — whose two pigtails are brittle, a sign of malnutrition — weighs 15 pounds, according to doctors. Mohammed Jahjouh, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025 Her face, framed by blond, braided pigtails, showed no sign of illness. Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2025 Loring was the first actress to don the iconic pigtails, black dress and white collar synonymous with the character. Colson Thayer, People.com, 6 Mar. 2025 Both children share their dad Prince Harry’s signature red hair, with Lilibet’s styled in adorable pigtails. Janine Henni, People.com, 19 May 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 10 Jun. 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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