towel

American  

[tou-uhl, toul] / ˈtaʊ əl, taʊl /

noun

1. an absorbent cloth or paper for wiping and drying something wet, as one for the hands, face, or body after washing or bathing.

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verb (used with object)

toweled, toweling, towelled, towelling

1. to wipe or dry with a towel.

idioms

1. throw in the towel, to concede defeat; give up; yield.

   He vowed he would never throw in the towel.

towel British  

/ ˈtaʊəl /

noun

1. a square or rectangular piece of absorbent cloth or paper used for drying the body

2. a similar piece of cloth used for drying plates, cutlery, etc

3. See throw in

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verb

1. to dry or wipe with a towel

2. slang to assault or beat (a person)

towel More Idioms  

1. see crying towel; throw in the sponge (towel).

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Etymology

Origin of towel

1250–1300; Middle English (noun) < Old French toaille cloth for washing or wiping < West Germanic *thwahliō (> Old High German dwahilla, akin to dwahal bath); cognate with Gothic thwahl, thwēal washing

Example Sentences

"Those at the bottom of the chain do the work and get paid last -- sometimes months later," he said, adding he was ready to throw in the towel and sell his machinery.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

As the show began, the singer noticed a puddle at the edge of the stage that could have caused a slip hazard, so he grabbed a towel to mop it up.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

As he grabs a paper towel to wipe a stain on his stovetop, he narrates what he is doing, as the manager he met at the cafe had instructed him to do.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

The allure of holding U.S. government debt is fading but investors have not thrown in the towel for one simple reason — their options are limited.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 12, 2026

Mama answered as she finished drying a serving bowl and put down her dish towel.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson

Related Words

• bake
• blot
• deplete
• drain
• empty
• evaporate
• exhaust
• sear
• shrivel
• wilt
• wipe
• wither