marcel
1 Americanverb (used with object)
noun
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a marcelling.
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a marcelled condition.
noun
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Gabriel 1887–1973, French philosopher, dramatist, and critic.
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a male given name.
noun
verb
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of marcel
First recorded in 1890–95; named after Marcel Grateau (1852–1936), French hairdresser who originated it
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The Harlem in “The Back Room” is a site for “fine gowns and tuxedos, marcel waves and glitter.”
From Washington Times ● Jan. 15, 2020
My aunties would come to town from Chicago and get the marcel iron out,” she said.
From New York Times ● Sep. 14, 2018
The cynical theatrical population dared the visitors to rearrange its smooth marcel into a prickly pompadour.
From Time Magazine Archive
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He is 21, stands up to the plate in perfect style; his hair falls away from his forehead in a natural marcel.
From Time Magazine Archive
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I got a new marcel and a cold on my chest that weighs a ton.
From Every Soul Hath Its Song by Fannie Hurst
Pidcock finished second at the one-day race in Varese but was left "mad" after Pinarello-Q36.5 team-mates Marcel Camprubi and Thomas Gloag were knocked off their bikes with six laps of the finishing circuit to go.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
Now located in Marcel Breuer’s iconic New York building, the art fair continues to champion the underappreciated and overlooked.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026
"We expect inflation excluding fresh food and energy to rise further towards 2.5 percent by early next year," said Marcel Thieliant of Capital Economics.
From Barron's ● Sep. 16, 2026
“We’re really hanging on by a thread,” said Marcel Wittfeld of Peekaboo Playland.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
“Everything you been working on, Titid,” says Marcel, in a sudden silence.
From "Taste of Salt: A Story of Modern Haiti" by Frances Temple
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Were the Roaring Twenties a time of release, as they’re often depicted in pop culture — all those glittery dresses and tiaras and marcelled hair!
From New York Times ● Sep. 6, 2021
In one still from Peacock Records, the processed and marcelled hair that was Little Richard’s irrepressible glory has been squashed beneath a calypsonian’s straw hat.
From New York Times ● May 11, 2020
Her previously loose and tawny hair is now marcelled and peroxide blond; her glittering but shapeless black gown projects the expensive glamour of a society matron.
From The New Yorker ● Apr. 14, 2017
Last week, having announced a modern McPherson crusade, the strapping, marcelled evangelist chartered the 19,000-ton Republic of the U. S. Lines.
From Time Magazine Archive
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But with the bun tucked under, the waves, and a side part, the style resembled a marcelled bob.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
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Last week Jonah Uden was pronounced capable of waving, marcelling, bobbing, shingling and shampooing.
From Time Magazine Archive
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Like women sitting for two hours under the marcelling irons only to wonder two days later how soon they would need another appointment.
From "Sula" by Toni Morrison
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.