Definition

Noun: A widow's peak is a distinctive V-shaped point or downward projection of the hairline at the center of the forehead.

Usage

This term is used to describe a specific, natural hairline pattern. It is a neutral descriptive term, often noted in physical descriptions.

Examples

• He was easily recognizable by his prominent widow's peak.
• The hairstyle cleverly disguised her widow's peak.
• Does having a widow's peak mean you will go bald? (This is a common myth).

Advanced Usage

• The term is sometimes associated with folklore or old wives' tales, but in modern usage, it is primarily a descriptive term for a genetic trait.
• It can be used metaphorically in very specific contexts to describe something shaped like a V, though this is rare. For example: "The mountain's silhouette had a widow's peak."

Variants and Related Words

• Widow's peak is a compound noun. The standard spelling uses the apostrophe-s ('s). The plural is widow's peaks.
• Hairline (n): The line along the forehead where the hair starts.
• Cowlick (n): A section of hair that grows in a different direction from the rest and is difficult to style. This is a related concept concerning hair growth patterns but is distinct from a widow's peak.

Synonyms

• V-shaped hairline: A more literal, descriptive synonym.
• Peaked hairline: A less common alternative.

Antonyms

• Straight hairline: A hairline that runs evenly across the forehead without a central point.
• Rounded hairline: A hairline that curves without a distinct central V shape.

Notes

• The origin of the term "widow's peak" is folkloric, supposedly linked to the pointed hoods (peaks) worn by widows in mourning, with the hairline resembling that shape. This etymology is not based on scientific fact.
• It is a hereditary feature and is not an indicator of future baldness, despite popular myth.

Noun

1. a V-shaped point in the hairline in the middle of the forehead