Meaning & use
hair tie
Last updated
UK/ˈheə taɪ/
US/ˈher taɪ/
Meaning
nouncountable
A small ring, often covered in fabric, used to hold hair together, especially in a ponytail.
Grammar: Countable: a hair tie, two hair ties.
Patterns
- put your hair in a hair tie
- wear a hair tie
- a pack of hair ties
She pulled her hair back with a hair tie.
I can never find a hair tie when I need one.
He keeps a spare hair tie around his wrist.
Word forms
| plural | hair ties |
|---|
Common combinations
- put your hair in a hair tie
- She put her hair in a hair tie before the run.
- a pack of hair ties
- I bought a pack of hair ties at the supermarket.
- spare hair tie
- Do you have a spare hair tie I could borrow?
- tie your hair back with a hair tie
- Tie your hair back with a hair tie for the science lab.
Synonyms and how they differ
- hair band
- Often means a curved band worn over the head, while a hair tie is the small ring used to fasten a ponytail.
- elastic band
- A general rubber band; a hair tie is made for hair and is often fabric-covered.
Commonly confused: hair tie or hairband?
hair tie vs hairband
Usually a stiff or fabric band that goes over the top of the head, not the small ring used to tie hair.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'hair tie' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A hair tie holds hair in place, so it is used for a ponytail. It does not dry, cut, or wash hair.
Make it your own
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