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towel Definition

towel (to̵uəl)

noun

a piece of absorbent cloth or paper for wiping or drying things, or for drying oneself after washing or bathing a dish towel, a bath towel

Etymology: ME towaille < OFr toaille (Fr touaille) < Frank *thwahlja, akin to OHG dwahila, towel < dwahan, to wash < IE base *twak-, to bathe > OProv twaxtan, bath towel

transitive verb -·eled or -·elled, -·el·ing or -·el·ling

to wipe or dry with a towel

towel Idioms

throw in the towel

or toss in the towel

Informal to admit defeat

towel off

to dry oneself, as after bathing

towel Synonyms

towel

n.

wiper, drier, absorbent paper, sheet, toweling, napkin, cloth, rag*.

Kinds of towels include: linen, cotton, huckaback, terry, guest, face, Turkish, hand, fingertip, beach, bath sheet, bath, kitchen, dish, tea, paper, napkin.

throw in the towel*

admit defeat, give in, surrender; see yield 3.

towel Usage Examples

Object

  • robe: Prices fully inclusive, beds made up for your arrival, towels, toweling robes and Molton Brown toiletries provided.

Converse of object

  • launder: Freshly laundered towels are included in the letting price.
  • wrap: So wrap a wet towel round your head and follow me.

Adjective modifier

  • sanitary: You should bring a sanitary towel with you to the hospital.
  • fluffy: Fluffy towels, crisp clean linen & copious amounts of hot water.
  • damp: Unroll the remaining filo pastry sheets, keeping them under a damp towel to prevent them from drying out.
  • hooded: You'll have no problem getting them out the bath or pool with this fun hooded towel.
  • disposable: Install a roller towel at work instead of using disposable paper towels.
  • absorbent: Thereafter, the lather should be toweled dry with a clean absorbent towel.

Modifies a noun

  • rail/radiator: A further bedroom comprises a double bed, wardrobe and drawers and a heated towel rail/radiator.
  • rail: Newly fitted large walk-in shower, heated towel rail, wash hand basin, WC.
  • warmer: The heating system can be specifically isolated to provide heating to ground floor, first floor and the towel warmers independently.
  • dispenser: They even had the proper paper towel dispensers, meaning no one from our group used the bog roll they took!
  • radiator: Full height tiling throughout, chrome shaver socket and towel radiator.

Noun used with modifier

  • tea: A new design of tea towel is now on sale.
  • microfibre: The wax was then removed by hand using a soft microfibre towel.
  • bath: Bath towels can be supplied for an extra charge of £ 3 per person, per week.
  • terry: In addition we ONLY use terry towels which will not cause any scratches.
  • chrome: Chrome towel warmer radiators will be fitted in the bathroom and master bedroom en suite.
  • beach: Yes, beach towels are provided by the resort.

Browse dictionary entries near towel

  1. towboat
  2. towards
  3. towardly
  4. toward
  5. towage
  6. tow truck
  7. tow
  8. tovarich
  9. touzle
  10. tout le monde
  1. towelette
  2. toweling
  3. tower
  4. tower block
  5. Tower Hamlets
  6. Tower of London
  7. towered
  8. towering
  9. towery
  10. towhead