locks
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for locks, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Strands or tresses of hair, viewed collectively.
Synonyms
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 locks
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Variant of Lock.
Full origin of locks →Frequently asked questions
What does “locks” mean?
The word “locks” means strands or tresses of hair, viewed collectively. In plain terms, a poetic or informal word for hair, or short for dreadlocks.
How do you pronounce “locks”?
“Locks” is pronounced loks (/lɑks/ in IPA).
How do you use “locks” in a sentence?
Here is “locks” used in a sentence: “She brushed her long, dark locks before bed.”
What part of speech is “locks”?
“Locks” is a noun.
Is “locks” a common word?
“Locks” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “locks” have?
“Locks” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: strands or tresses of hair, viewed collectively.
What is the difference between locks and hair on someone's head?
'Hair' is the general, everyday word for what grows on the head. 'Locks' refers to hair viewed as strands or tresses and is more literary or descriptive, often used admiringly, as in 'flowing locks'.
What is the difference between locks and tresses?
Both refer to strands of hair viewed collectively, and both are literary in tone. 'Tresses' traditionally suggests long hair, often a woman's, while 'locks' is broader and can describe hair of any length on anyone.
How is 'locks' used to mean dreadlocks?
In this sense, 'locks' is a short form of 'dreadlocks', the rope-like strands formed by matting or braiding hair. It is common in everyday speech, as in 'growing his locks', and is sometimes spelled 'locs'.