barber
BAH-buh
Barber (noun) means a person whose job is cutting hair and trimming beards, usually for male customers. Example: “He goes to the same barber every three weeks.”
noun
1
A person whose job is cutting hair and trimming beards, usually for male customers.
"There's also a barber's shop and that staple of railway stations up and down the UK - a WH Smith."
— Paul Bigland, Fab Four: the nation's finest stations: Eastbourne (2022)
"He goes to the same barber every three weeks."
"The barber trimmed his beard and then brushed the hair off his neck."
"My son was nervous about his first visit to the barber."
verb
1
To cut someone's hair or beard.
"The stylist barbered his beard into a neat point."
"He barbered his own hair at home during the winter."
"She learned to barber neatly by practising on her brothers."
How to use barber
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone whose profession is cutting hair and trimming beards.
Common pairings
barber shop
local barber
go to the barber
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Word forms
- Plural
- barbers
- Third person singular
- barbers
- Past tense
- barbered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He goes to the same _____ every three weeks.
Etymology
From Old French barbeor, from barbe ("beard"), from Latin barba.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for barber
See all rhymes for barber →Frequently asked questions
What does “barber” mean?
The word “barber” means a person whose job is cutting hair and trimming beards, usually for male customers. In plain terms, someone whose profession is cutting hair and trimming beards.
How do you pronounce “barber”?
“Barber” is pronounced BAH-buh (/ˈbɑɹ.bɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “barber” in a sentence?
Here is “barber” used in a sentence: “He goes to the same barber every three weeks.”
What part of speech is “barber”?
Depending on how it is used, “barber” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “barber” come from?
The word “barber” comes from Latin. From Old French barbeor, from barbe ("beard"), from Latin barba.
Is “barber” a common word?
“Barber” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “barber” have?
“Barber” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person whose job is cutting hair and trimming beards, usually for male customers.
What is the difference between a barber and a hairdresser?
A barber traditionally cuts hair and trims beards for male customers, while a hairdresser typically serves a broader clientele and offers services like styling, coloring, and treatments for various hair types. Barbers often specialize in shorter, classic cuts and facial hair grooming.
Can barber be used as a verb?
Yes, barber can be used as a verb meaning to cut someone's hair or beard, as in 'he was barbered before the interview.' This usage is less common than the noun form but is grammatically valid.
Do barbers only serve men?
Barbers are traditionally associated with cutting hair and trimming beards for male customers, reflecting the historical focus of the profession. However, many modern barbershops also serve clients of any gender.
