Widow’s peak and crow’s feet both describe features of a person’s appearance, but they refer to different areas and different kinds of features.
A widow’s peak is a hairline that forms a V-shaped point in the middle of the forehead. It describes the shape of the hairline, not a hairstyle. For example, Leah’s widow’s peak was easy to see when she tied back her hair. A person may have this feature naturally, and it can become more noticeable with certain hairstyles or changes in the hairline.
Crow’s feet are small lines that spread from the outer corners of the eyes. They are often easier to see when someone smiles or squints. The expression is plural in its usual use: His crow’s feet appeared whenever he smiled. Although one side may be more noticeable, English speakers normally refer to these lines together as crow’s feet.
To choose the right term, focus on location and form:
- Use widow’s peak for a pointed, V-shaped hairline above the forehead.
- Use crow’s feet for fine lines beside the outer corners of the eyes.
Compare: Mina has a widow’s peak, and faint crow’s feet show when she laughs. The two features can appear on the same face, but the terms are not interchangeable.
