Hair: Meaning, Examples, and Common Collocations

Meaning 1：strands on head or body (hair)

hair 🔊

/hɛr/

The fine, thread-like strands that grow on the head and body of people and animals.

Close-up of brown hair strands being brushed in natural light

strands on head or body 🔊

➕

/strændz ɒn hɛd ɔːr ˈbɒdi/

Hair refers to the thin, thread-like strands that grow from the skin of humans and animals, typically covering the head and other body parts.

📁 Category：Fashion Trends 🔖 Level：Elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'hær', akin to German 'Haar'; Proto-Germanic *harą.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine 'hair' as 'heir' missing an 'e' — your hair is your natural inheritance.

📖 Example

My friend dyed her hair a vibrant shade of purple for the music festival. 🔊 My friend dyed her hair a vibrant shade of purple for the music festival.

🔗 Collocations

long hair – hair that is longer than shoulder length

hair loss – the condition of losing hair from the scalp

hair style – a particular way of arranging and cutting hair

🔄 Synonyms

fur (n.) – The thick hair covering the body of many animals.

locks (n. (plural)) – Poetic term for a person's hair, especially long hair.

tresses (n. (plural)) – Long flowing hair, typically of a woman.

🌱 Derivatives

hairy (adj.) – Covered with a lot of hair.

hairless (adj.) – Having no hair.

hairpiece (n.) – A covering of artificial hair worn on the head.

📖 Cultural Story

Hair care has ancient roots; Egyptians used combs and oils. The word comes from Proto-Germanic *harą, highlighting its linguistic history.