barber cut

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A haircut given by a barber, especially a short, neat style for men or boys.

   Grammar: Countable, so you can say a barber cut or two barber cuts; it is less fixed than "haircut".

   Patterns

   • get a barber cut
   • give someone a barber cut
   • a short barber cut

   He asked for a barber cut before the wedding.

   She likes a barber cut because it is quick and cheap to keep tidy.

   The barber cut my hair shorter than I wanted last time.

2. 2nouncountable

   A style of cutting hair short at the sides and back, with the top left longer.

   Grammar: Used like other style names; often with a modifier such as "classic" or "short".

   Patterns

   • a classic barber cut
   • a short barber cut
   • ask for a barber cut

   The shop offers a classic barber cut with clippers and scissors.

   He showed the barber a photo of a short barber cut.

   A barber cut usually means short sides and a longer top.

Word forms

Common combinations

get a barber cut

I get a barber cut every six weeks.

give someone a barber cut

The old man gave his grandson a simple barber cut.

a classic barber cut

Ask for a classic barber cut with a little length on top.

a short barber cut

A short barber cut suits him in summer.

a cheap barber cut

There is a cheap barber cut available near the station.

Synonyms and how they differ

haircut

The general word for any cutting of hair; "barber cut" adds the idea that a barber did it or that the style is short and traditional.

trim

A trim removes only a little hair and keeps the shape; a barber cut usually changes the style more noticeably.

fade

A fade is a specific barber style with hair tapering very short; a barber cut is the broader idea.

Word family

barber noun

A person whose job is cutting hair, usually for men and boys.

barbershop noun

A place where a barber works and cuts hair.

barbering noun

The work or activity of cutting hair as a barber.

Commonly confused: barber cut or barber's cut?

Practice

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