moño

Moño is a Spanish noun with several related meanings centered on a knot or bow. It can refer to a decorative knot formed with ribbon or fabric, an adornment on clothing or accessories, or a hairstyle. The sense is usually clear from context, since moño can describe both the way something is tied and the resulting shape.

In fashion, a moño is a bow-shaped ornament created by looping and tying ribbon or fabric. It appears on dresses, shoes, headbands, and gifts, ranging from small, subtle bows to large ceremonial ones. The term is common in Spanish-speaking styling and crafts to indicate a graceful, symmetrical knot.

In hairstyling, the moño denotes a bun or topknot. Hair is gathered and secured into a compact coil at the crown or nape. Variants include the moño alto (high bun), moño bajo (low bun), and the two-bun style known as dos moños.

Beyond clothing and hair, moño describes the way a ribbon is tied to decorate gifts, bouquets, and ceremonial objects. It can also refer to the overall look created by such a knot, and in some regions the word is nearly synonymous with lazo (bow) or nudo (knot).

Usage varies by country; in Spain and Latin America, moño generally covers hair, clothing, and decorative knots. As a polysemic term, its precise meaning depends on context.