Barber Definition, Examples, and Usage Guide

Meaning 1：hair and beard groomer (barber)

barber 🔊

/ˈbɑːrbər/

A person whose job is to cut men's hair and shave or trim their beards.

Barber trimming customer's hair with clippers and scissors

hair and beard groomer 🔊

➕

/ˈhɛr ænd ˈbɪrd ˈɡruːmər/

A barber is a professional who specializes in cutting, styling, and trimming men's hair and facial hair, including shaving beards and mustaches.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'barba' (beard) via Old French 'barbour', meaning one who shaves beards.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'barber' as 'barb' (beard) + 'er' (person) — a person who works on beards.

📖 Example

My regular barber moved to a new shop, so I need to find someone else who understands how I like my hair. 🔊 My regular barber moved to a new shop, so I need to find someone else who understands how I like my hair.

🔗 Collocations

barber shop – A shop where barbers work, often with a classic atmosphere.

barber pole – A traditional red, white, and blue rotating pole outside a barber shop.

get a haircut at the barber's – To have one's hair cut by a barber in his shop.

🔄 Synonyms

hairdresser (n) – A person who cuts and styles hair, often for both men and women, but especially for women.

hairstylist (n) – A professional who cuts, colors, and styles hair, typically in a salon.

groomer (n) – A person who takes care of personal appearance, including hair and beard, sometimes used for pets.

🚫 Antonyms

customer (n) – A person who receives services from a barber, not the service provider.

🌱 Derivatives

barbering (n) – The craft or occupation of a barber.

barbershop (n) – The place where a barber works.

barbered (adj) – Having one's hair or beard cut and styled by a barber.

📖 Cultural Story

The barber pole's red and white stripes originate from medieval barbers who also performed bloodletting. Red symbolized blood, white for bandages, and blue for veins.