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noun

hairline

HEHR-lyn
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Hairline (noun) means the edge along the forehead or scalp where hair begins to grow. Example: “His hairline had receded noticeably by his forties.”

noun
1
The edge along the forehead or scalp where hair begins to grow.
"It's just a receding hairline — it's not like you're going bald."
"His hairline had receded noticeably by his forties."
2
A very thin crack, line, or fracture.
"While inspecting the new house, we found a few hairlines in one of the walls."
"X-rays revealed a hairline fracture in her wrist."
"There was a hairline crack in the airplane's wing."

How to use hairline

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the edge of your hair on your forehead, or a crack so thin it looks like a strand of hair.

Common pairings
a receding hairline a hairline fracture a hairline crack
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Word forms

Plural
hairlines
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

His _____ had receded noticeably by his forties.

Etymology

From "hair" and "line," describing something as thin as a strand of hair.

Rhymes for hairline

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Frequently asked questions

What does “hairline” mean?
The word “hairline” means the edge along the forehead or scalp where hair begins to grow. In plain terms, either the edge of your hair on your forehead, or a crack so thin it looks like a strand of hair.
How do you pronounce “hairline”?
“Hairline” is pronounced HEHR-lyn (/ˈhɛɹˌlaɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “hairline” in a sentence?
Here is “hairline” used in a sentence: “His hairline had receded noticeably by his forties.”
What part of speech is “hairline”?
“Hairline” is a noun.
How many meanings does “hairline” have?
“Hairline” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the edge along the forehead or scalp where hair begins to grow.