A cowlick is a section of hair that stubbornly grows or sticks up in a different direction from the rest of your hair, no matter how much you try to smooth it down.

Most people have at least one cowlick, often near the front hairline or at the crown of the head, where hair naturally grows in a spiral pattern. You might notice yours when you're trying to comb your hair neatly for picture day, only to find one stubborn tuft that refuses to lie flat. Professional hairstylists learn to work with cowlicks rather than fight them, cutting hair in ways that make the cowlick less noticeable.

The word can also describe the pattern itself: a small spiral or whorl where hair grows outward from a central point. Some people have multiple cowlicks, which can make styling hair more challenging but also give hair interesting natural texture and movement.