pigtail

noun

pig·​tail ˈpig-ˌtāl 

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 pigtail …

—John 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

Chanel also matched her mom’s hairstyle with pigtails. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024

My daughter loves this stylish version, especially with the vanity set, so that Quinn can fix her pigtails in the mirror and take on the world. —Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 17 Oct. 2024

Miranda Haley, who wore pigtails and a long-sleeve shirt to protect her from the sun, got out and pushed a jug of water through an opening in the wall. —Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024

Doreen then hops onto the couch and grabs Loretta, forcing one of her signature pigtails into her mouth. —Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pigtail

noun

pig·​tail -ˌtāl 

: a tight braid of hair

pigtailed

-ˌtāld

adjective