What does pigtailed mean?
Pigtailed is an adjective meaning that hair has been gathered and tied at the back in a ponytail or similar plait, or that an animal has a narrow, curled tail resembling a pig's. Its everyday use is overwhelmingly associated with hairstyles, especially in descriptions of children, athletes, or people whose hair is tied for practical reasons. “Pigtailed” can convey a neat, youthful, or traditional appearance, though the precise impression depends on context. The word is less technical than “pony-tailed” and often appears in prose rather than formal speech. A second, less common sense describes an animal or object with a curled tail like that of a pig. The term is understood throughout the English-speaking world, although it may sound somewhat more familiar in American and British English than in varieties where “pony-tailed” is preferred.
Having hair tied at the back in a ponytail or plaits.
"A pigtailed fan cheered from the end of the row."
This is the dominant modern sense and is often used in descriptions of children's hairstyles.
Having a narrow, curled or twisted tail resembling a pig's.
"A tiny pigtailed creature emerged from beneath the leaves."
This descriptive sense is less common than the hairstyle sense and is often used in zoological or literary contexts.
“Pigtail” may sound agricultural, but in hairstyles it refers to hair gathered tightly at the back and secured with a tie.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pigtailed come from?
“Pigtailed” combines “pig” and “tailed,” with “pigtail” historically referring to a braid or twist resembling a pig's curled tail. The compound is formed from English words, while “pig” itself comes from a Germanic word related to forms in several other Germanic languages. In the modern language, “pigtail” most often means either a ponytail or a tightly braided form of hair arranged at the back.
Related word forms
How pigtailed is actually used
The adjective is most common in descriptions of hairstyles and may sound more conversational or literary than “pony-tailed,” although both forms are established. When it describes an animal, it emphasizes the tail's narrow, curled shape rather than merely its species.