Hair Glossary

According to the online biology dictionary, a widow's peak is a sharp point in the middle at the front of the scalp where hair grows. It typically forms a V shape with the point of the V at the bottom of the hair growth area.

A widow's peak can be at varying degrees of distinctiveness.  Actor Cooper had a very prominent peak at the center of the forehead.  A peak can occur on the foreheads of both males and females.

Musician Harry Styles has a pronounced V-shaped widow's peak on his forehead.  Marilyn Monroe had a slight widow's peak.

It is a point of hair growth in the midline of the anterior scalp margin.  It may or may not be genetic in origin.  Some hair experts may categorize it as a congenital configuration of scalp hair.

When a widow's peak is absent, the hairline usually grows straight across the forehead.