First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1towel
noun tow·el \ˈtau̇(-ə)l\
: a piece of cloth used for drying things
Full Definition of TOWEL
: an absorbent cloth or paper for wiping or drying
See towel defined for English-language learners
See towel defined for kids
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Origin of TOWEL
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
2towel
verb
: to dry (something) with a towel
toweled or towelledtowel·ing or towel·ling
Full Definition of TOWEL
transitive verb
: to rub or dry (as the body) with a towel
intransitive verb
: to use a towel to dry oneself <toweled down after swimming>
See towel defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of TOWEL
circa 1839
TOWEL[1] Defined for Kids
towel
noun tow·el \ˈtau̇-əl\
Definition of TOWEL for Kids
: a cloth or piece of absorbent paper for wiping or drying
Medical Dictionary
towel
noun tow·el \ˈtau̇(-ə)l\
Medical Definition of TOWEL
1
: an absorbent cloth or paper for wiping or drying
2
British : sanitary napkin
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