Towel Definition Towel Definition 1

Towel (noun) — used to describe a bit of fabric aimed at absorbing water and other liquids from a body, surfaces, and elsewhere to make them dry and clean the mess. There are dozens of towels with different purposes, from hand to face and paper type.

Part of speech:
Noun (countable)
Phonetic transcription (IPA):
​​/taʊəl/
CEFR level:
A1
Word frequency:

How to Pronounce “Towel”?

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Tips for towel pronunciation: 

for more convenience, break this word into two parts and say the first one “tow” more clearly and strongly, like in the word “cow,” while the second one “el” has the sound “i” with a soft “l.”

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Examples: How to Use “Towel” in a Sentence?

Learning the “towel” word through the context is the most suitable way to make this study a deep one, with all the nuances that may appear. Here are some examples:

There is no way to dry my hands without a towel.

Use the towel when you spill juice, please.

Did you see the price for paper towels?

I try to be more mindful and buy reusable towels.

I need a towel holder. Can we go to the store?

What Are Synonyms for the Word “Towel”?

As you define how to spell “towel,” let’s outline analogies to make your speech richer and become more confident in daily communication. Here is the variety you can use:

Related nouns: wiping warmer

Synonyms (contextual): napkin washcloth wipe

Common collocations: buy a towel serve a towel dry with a towel

“Towel” Word Formation and Description in Context

To make the most out of gaining new vocabulary, it is advisable to learn the actual phrases that take place in everyday communication. So let’s learn how to combine it for more interesting and complex sentences:

With adjectives: white towel paper towel hot towel clean towel

With verbs: sell a towel dry a towel hang a towel

With nouns (noun + noun): towel rack towel stand

Idioms and Phrases with “Towel”

Special phrases are all about the original color of language; moreover, they are widely used by native speakers, which makes them in demand. Here, you will study the most popular ones:

  • Throw in the towel — refers to the situation when someone gives up because they understand there is no point in trying.

      He proposed three times, but she refused, so he threw in the towel.
  • Towel off — is used to describe the process of drying (yourself or others).

      My hair was wet after the lake, so I needed to towel it off.
  • Beach towel — describes the type of fabric that is typically bigger than the common one, made of microfiber and other materials that absorb water better.

      We need two beach towels for our summer trip.

Test Your Knowledge of Towel Meaning — Quiz Time!

Are you ready to level up your knowledge and define a towel across some activities? Try our simple and engaging exercises to learn more:

Type 1: True/false statements:
Choose the right answer:
1
Paper towels are the best for trapping water.
2
You don’t need to include towels in your laundry.
3
It is recommended to wash a towel every two weeks.
Type 2: Right word order:
Put these phrases in the right order:
1
like
warm
I
towel
my
2
is
wet
towel
This
3
use
20
towels
I
got
ago
years
I
Type 3: Choose the correct option
Select the most suitable variant:
1
He bought a towel for the bath, not a kitchen one. What does it mean?
2
These are hand towels. I need to use three for my body. What is the reason?
3
I failed again. I think I just have to throw in the towel. What does “throw in the towel” mean here?

Enjoy personalized learning!

“Towel” Word in Other Languages

To expand your knowledge, here is a way called “exploring other languages.” Here’s how to say “towel” in three premier tongues.

Language Word for “Towel ”
Flag Spanish Spanish   Toalla
Flag French French   Serviette
Flag German German   Handtuch

Did You Know It? Fun Facts About “Towel”

The entertainment of learning new words is all about making it engaging, and the facts to be said will leave you with the joy of defining new information.

  • Towels are the most popular item to be stolen in hotels.

    It is a common story that visitors may take some stuff, and according to some research, towels hold 79.2% of all the goods stolen.
  • The biggest tea towel collection is owned by Barbara Howard.

    The Guinness World Records proves that such an arsenal has 1,457 tea towels, which indicates large efforts and history behind this record.
  • We have an official Towel Day!

    Fans of Douglas Adams made this celebration after his death in 2001, and for now, we praise towels on May 25.

Famous Quotes Featuring “Towel”

How do you think, can such a common and simple thing as a towel be involved in the usage in literature? Yes, it can, and here, you can check how it works:

  “A towel, [The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy] says, is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have.”

— Douglas Adams

Explanation: You already know this author, and here, he says about the importance of a towel even for those who are investigating the galaxy.

  “He threw in the towel before we were tested. Maybe because he didn’t want to be tested.”

Emily Giffin

Explanation: This phrase is also known as we have defined it above, in the section on idioms. Here, it also means to stop doing something, refuse to do it, or give up.

  “I guess I’ll get a shower,’ I said, grabbing a towel and my shower bag.‘I’ll alert the media,’ Kara deadpanned, keeping her head down.”

— Jamie McGuire

Explanation: Here, the towel actually means what it is, and the phrase is quite ironic, just a simple chat between two close people.