marcel
verb (used with object)
to wave (the hair) by means of special irons, producing the effect of regular, continuous waves marcel waves.
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marcel
1 American
[mahr-sel]
/ mɑrˈsɛl /
verb (used with object)
marcelled,
marcelling
noun
-
a marcelling.
-
a marcelled condition.
Marcel
2
American
[mahr-sel, ma r -sel]
/ mɑrˈsɛl, marˈsɛl /
noun
-
Gabriel 1887–1973, French philosopher, dramatist, and critic.
-
a male given name.
marcel
1
British
/ mɑːˈsɛl /
noun
verb
Marcel
2
British
/ marsɛl /
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
Lily, his wife, unwilling to muss her new marcel wave before he saw it, waited, and kept ready a hot cup of tea.
From Time Magazine Archive
The cynical theatrical population dared the visitors to rearrange its smooth marcel into a prickly pompadour.
From Time Magazine Archive
But if the briny mingles with my marcel wave—good night, nurse!
From The Sorrows of a Show Girl by Kenneth McGaffey
“We’re really hanging on by a thread,” said Marcel Wittfeld of Peekaboo Playland.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
Its president Marcel Fratzscher predicted a "shock" that would batter growth and paradoxically hit the hardest in regions with the strongest AfD support.
From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026
The taste of a madeleine famously sent French writer Marcel Proust back into vivid memories of childhood.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026
Capital Economics’ Marcel Thieliant expects inflation to climb above 3% by early next year.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
“Father Marcel, my twin sister, Olanna,” Kainene said.
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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
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
By now Ms. Huppert has re-emerged looking rather more demure, playing Phaedra in a marcelled red wig and pale skirt and dainty shirt with a bow collar.
From New York Times ● Sep. 15, 2016
In Ohio, the loyalty lines are drawn between chips made by two old local outfits: the good, blond wafers of Mike-sell's, produced in Dayton, and the more pallid, "marcelled" Ballreich product, from Tiffin.
From Time Magazine Archive
She had a thick, straight-up, corseted figure and gray hair that had been marcelled into such stiff, even waves I wondered if she dared put her head down on a pillow at night.
From "Homesick" by Jean Fritz
Last week Jonah Uden was pronounced capable of waving, marcelling, bobbing, shingling and shampooing.
From Time Magazine Archive
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.
