periwig

[ per-i-wig ]

noun

1. a wig, especially a peruke.

periwig

/ ˈpɛrɪˌwɪɡ /

noun

1. a wig, such as a peruke

Word History and Origins

Origin of periwig¹

1520–30; earlier perwyke, alteration of Middle French perruque peruke

Word History and Origins

Origin of periwig¹

C16 perwyke, changed from French perruque wig, peruke

Example Sentences

They’ve all seen The Favourite though, and point out that those powdered periwigs are a reminder that there’s nothing new under the sun.

From The Guardian

He reasoned that in a world where 75% of women say they wouldn’t date bald, the bald man who forswears hair plugs, periwigs, toupees, sombreros, simply has to try harder.

From The Guardian

Today they no longer sport full-bottomed periwigs, replete with curls, but echoes of their black and white Dutch colonial garments, handmade lace collars and tight buckle boots appear in everyday men’s wear.

From New York Times

A big man for his day, and given vainly to wearing black periwigs, Brown also was a shrewd businessman.

From Washington Post

The word “wig” is derived from the word “periwig,” which is what the English thought they heard when the French introduced them to their word: “perruque.”

From Time

Related Words

• toupee