Skip to the word

Added 9 October 2026

tress

/tɹɛs/ noun

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about tress at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A braid, knot, or curl, of hair; a ringlet.
A long lock of hair.
A knot or festoon, as of flowers.

verb

To braid or knot hair.

Origin

From Middle English tresse, from Old French tresce, of uncertain origin; possibly from Vulgar Latin *trichia, from Ancient Greek τριχία (trikhía, “rope”), from θρίξ (thríx, “hair”). Compare French tresse, Italian treccia.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word