towel
- Top 5000
Sense 1
- noun
- A1
A piece of thick soft cloth that you use to dry your body, your hands or something wet.
Hang your wet towel over the radiator so it dries properly.
The gym hands out a clean towel at reception.
We spread our towels on the warm sand and lay down.
Common collocations: a clean towel · bath towel · hand towel · paper towel · towel rail · dry yourself with a towel
Part of: Hygiene, Cleaning and repairs, Accommodation
Sense 2 · less common
- verb
- B2
To rub a person or a thing with a towel so that it becomes dry.
He towelled his hair dry before opening the front door.
She towelled off quickly and reached for her clothes.
The runners towelled the sweat off their faces afterwards.
Common collocations: towel your hair dry · towel off · towel yourself down · towel-dried hair
Part of: Hygiene, Parts of the body
Forms
- past
- towelled (UK) / toweled (US)
- past_participle
- towelled (UK) / toweled (US)
- present_participle
- towelling (UK) / toweling (US)