hair
12 synonyms for hair, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A thin strand that grows from the skin of humans and many animals.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use hair
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a strand of hair
cut your hair
a hair out of place
by a hair
Etymology
From Old English hær, an ancient Germanic word going back to a root meaning "to scrape or comb," found with close cousins in Dutch (haar) and German (Haar).
Full origin of hair →Frequently asked questions
What does “hair” mean?
The word “hair” means a thin strand that grows from the skin of humans and many animals. In plain terms, the thin strands that grow from skin, especially on the head, or a tiny amount of something.
How do you pronounce “hair”?
“Hair” is pronounced HEH-uh (/ˈhɛɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “hair” in a sentence?
Here is “hair” used in a sentence: “A single grey hair stood out among the rest.”
What part of speech is “hair”?
“Hair” is a noun.
Where does the word “hair” come from?
The word “hair” comes from Old English. From Old English hær, an ancient Germanic word going back to a root meaning "to scrape or comb," found with close cousins in Dutch (haar) and German (Haar).
Is “hair” a common word?
“Hair” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “hair” have?
“Hair” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a thin strand that grows from the skin of humans and many animals.
What is the difference between hair and hare?
Hair and hare sound alike but are unrelated. Hair is the thin strand that grows from the skin of humans and animals. A hare is an animal, similar to a rabbit but larger, with long ears and powerful hind legs. Only the spelling and pronunciation link is a source of confusion.
Is hair countable or uncountable?
Hair works both ways. As an uncountable noun it refers to the whole mass on your head, as in "her hair is long." As a countable noun it refers to individual strands, as in "there is a hair in my soup." The meaning shifts with how you use it.
What is an example of hair used in a sentence?
You might say, "He brushed the hair out of his eyes," or "The cat left hair all over the sofa." The word covers both the strands on a person's head and the fur-like growth on animals, all thin strands growing from the skin.
