pigtail

[pig-teyl]

noun

1. a braid of hair hanging down the back of the head.

2. pigtails, two bunches of hair gathered and fastened on either side of the head, in braids or hanging freely.

3. tobacco in a thin, twisted roll.

4. Electricity.

   1. a short, flexible wire used in connecting a stationary terminal with a terminal having a limited range of motion.

   2. a short wire connected to an electric device, as a lead or ground.

pigtail

/ ˈpɪɡˌteɪl /

noun

1. a bunch of hair or one of two bunches on either side of the face, worn loose or plaited

2. a twisted roll of tobacco

Other Word Forms

• pigtailed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pigtail¹

First recorded in 1680–90; pig ¹ + tail ¹

Example Sentences

“Mind the hair, Cassawoof,” he admonished, for she had grabbed the two pigtails as reins and was yanking them this way and that.

Read more on Literature

Once she was dressed, Penelope braided her hair into two thick pigtails, just the way Cecily used to wear hers.

Read more on Literature

He personally oversaw the design of a racy chatbot called Ani, an animated character with blonde pigtails and revealing outfits.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

As the camera zoomed in, Anastacia strutted down the staircase, her hair in pigtails under a candy striped bucket hat, her midriff exposed by a crop top, in accordance with 1990s pop regulations.

Read more on BBC

Posey wore a mini dress featuring the colorway, while Campbell dyed his beard red and black and donned a red and black pigtail wig and shirt with the slogan “Resist Fascism.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ponytail