ponytail

ponytail — noun

1. a hairstyle made by brushing the hair back, tying it in one place, and letting t

1.nounA2
Definition

a hairstyle made by brushing the hair back, tying it in one place, and letting the long part hang down

Example

Ava tied her hair into a ponytail before the tennis lesson.

pattern: tie your hair into a ponytail

The little girl's ponytail swung as she ran across the park.

ponytail as subject in a moving scene

Common collocations
  • high ponytail
  • low ponytail
  • loose ponytail
  • sleek ponytail
  • messy ponytail
Synonyms
  • pigtail

    often means a braid or one of two side bunches, so it is not the usual single-style equivalent

  • bun

    the hair is twisted into a round shape instead of hanging down

  • braid

    describes woven hair rather than hair tied at one point

  • queue

    a more formal or historical word for long hair tied at the back

Grammar Patterns

wear a ponytail

tie your hair in a ponytail

pull your hair into a ponytail

Usage Note

Usually used after verbs like wear, tie, pull, and put when talking about arranging hair. High ponytail and low ponytail show where the band sits on the head.

Common Mistakes

Noah tied a ponytail before practice.
Noah tied his hair in a ponytail before practice.
English usually says you tie your hair in or into a ponytail.
Mia wore two ponytails to school.
Mia wore two pigtails to school.
for two separate bunches of hair, English more often says 'pigtails'.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For noun sense 1, ponytail is the normal everyday word for hair gathered together and left hanging from one tied point. Pigtail is different: it often means a braid, or one of two bunches worn on each side of the head. Braid describes how the hair is woven, not where it is tied. Bun is another tied-up style, but the hair is twisted into a round shape instead of hanging down. Queue is a more formal or historical word, often used for older fashions or traditional styles. Say 'She wore her hair in a ponytail for gym,' but 'The girl had two pigtails,' or 'He wore a bun at dance practice.'

pigtailbraid ↗bunqueue ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • ponytail holder
  • ponytail band
  • ponytail clip

Phrases

  • wear a ponytail
  • tie your hair in a ponytail
  • pull your hair into a ponytail
  • have your hair in a ponytail

Prepositions

Etymology

English

Ponytail is an English compound of pony and tail. The name comes from the way this hairstyle hangs and moves like a pony's tail.