ponytail

noun

po·​ny·​tail ˈpō-nē-ˌtāl How to pronounce ponytail (audio)
Synonyms of ponytailnext
: a hairstyle in which the hair is pulled together and banded usually at the back of the head so as to resemble a pony's tail
ponytailed
ˈpō-nē-ˌtāld How to pronounce ponytail (audio)
adjective

Examples of ponytail in a Sentence

She usually wears her hair pulled back in a ponytail.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While the princess has worn ponytails plenty of times over the years, they're almost always gathered at the nape or midway up the back of her head. — Marci Robin, Allure, 2 July 2026 Their families clung to the shade of the trees on either side, where one woman had two American flags stuck through her ponytail. — Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026 This includes tight ponytails and buns, and aggressive hair washing practices, such as using drying shampoo. — Parents, 25 June 2026 In another, a Pullman maid is bent over, hard at work, with her hair swept back into a ponytail, her gaze pointed downward and focused on the task at hand. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ponytail

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ponytail was in 1916

Rhymes for ponytail

See All Rhymes for ponytail

Browse Nearby Words

pony support
ponytail
pony truck
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ponytail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ponytail. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ponytail

noun
po·​ny·​tail ˈpō-nē-ˌtāl How to pronounce ponytail (audio)
: a hairstyle in which the hair is pulled together and banded usually at the back of the head so as to resemble the tail of a pony

More from Merriam-Webster on ponytail

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ponytail

Nglish: Translation of ponytail for Spanish Speakers

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