towhead

or tow-head

[ toh-hed ]

noun

1. a person with very light blond hair:

   He’s the only towhead in the family but otherwise looks almost identical to his brother Mike.

2. a head of very light blond hair:

   C’mon, Blondie, get your towhead off the pillow and let’s get going!

3. a sandbar in a river, especially a sandbar along a stand of cottonwood trees.

towhead

/ ˈtəʊˌhɛd /

noun

1. a person with blond or yellowish hair
2. a head of such hair

Other Words From

• tow·head·ed tow-head·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of towhead¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1820–30; tow ² + head

Word History and Origins

Origin of towhead¹

from tow ² (flax)

Example Sentences

“A towhead,” Mom called him because his hair is so blond it’s almost white.

From Literature

She is married again to an earnest politician who takes her to Washington and leaves her alone a lot during the years “our gang” of four towheads is growing up.

From New York Times

As it happens, Carter, the towhead looking at the camera through over-sized glasses, actually is pretty interesting … and at the same time pretty 9-year-old normal.

From Washington Times

Redheads and towheads are falling out of her line of vision.

From Literature

As any platinum or peroxide blonde will tell you, there’s one cardinal rule that all manufactured towheads must follow: avoid chlorinated pools at all costs.

From Time