Definition

1. Noun:

   • A hairstyle: A pompadour is a hairstyle in which the hair is brushed up and back from the forehead, often creating a high, rounded shape. It is typically associated with men's styles but can also refer to women's.
   • A historical figure: Pompadour refers to Madame de Pompadour, the influential mistress of King Louis XV of France.

2. Verb:

   • To style hair: To pompadour means to arrange hair into the pompadour hairstyle.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Hairstyle):

  • He sports a classic pompadour, with his hair slicked back high off his forehead.
  • The rockabilly look often features a pompadour and a leather jacket.

• Noun (Historical Figure):

  • The Pompadour was a great patron of the arts during the Rococo period.
  • Paintings of the Pompadour show her elegance and style.

• Verb:

  • The barber knows how to pompadour hair perfectly for a vintage look.
  • She pompadoured her bangs for a dramatic evening style.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used attributively as an adjective to describe things associated with the hairstyle or the Marquise.
  • He has a pompadour haircut.
  • The furniture was in the Pompadour style, featuring delicate curves and floral motifs.

Variants and Related Words

• Pompadoured (adj): Having a pompadour hairstyle.
  • The pompadoured singer took the stage.

Synonyms

• Noun (Hairstyle): Quiff, upsweep.
• Noun (Person): Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, Marquise de Pompadour.

Related Phrases

• Pompadour style: Can refer to the specific hairstyle or to the ornate artistic and decorative style favored by Madame de Pompadour.

Noun

1. a hair style in which the front hair is swept up from the forehead
2. French noblewoman who was the lover of Louis XV, whose policies she influenced (1721-1764)

Verb

1. style women's hair in a pompadour