topknot

noun

top·​knot ˈtäp-ˌnät 

plural topknots

1

: an ornament (such as a knot of ribbons or a pompom) forming a headdress or worn as part of a coiffure

2

: an arrangement of hair high on the head and usually in a knot

The dome light lit the inside of the car like a shadow box, but the car was packed with bags nearly to the ceiling and Mrs. Richardson could only just make out the faint silhouette of Mia's head, the messy topknot perched at the crown of her head.

—Celeste Ng

3

: a crest of feathers or tuft of hair on the top of the head

Examples of topknot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The low-key pair stepped out in casual duds to grab lunch, with the Twilight star sporting a messy topknot in an unmistakable platinum shade. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 21 Jan. 2025

The Colombian singer wore his teal tresses in twists, while Ferrer, an Argentinian model, sported a nude lip and a sleek topknot. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 21 Jan. 2025

He was joined by a woman with a topknot, who asked for the same. —Sheila Yasmin Marikar, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025

But this is an objet d'art, and will most likely not be worn to the gym or to secure a bedtime topknot. —Talia Gutierrez, Allure, 9 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1688, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

topknot

noun

top·​knot ˈtäp-ˌnät 

: a tuft of feathers or hair on the top of the head