hairdresser

Meaning

1. 1nouncountable

   A person whose job is to cut, style, and care for people's hair.

   Grammar: Countable: 'a hairdresser', 'hairdressers'. The place where they work is a hairdresser's or a salon.

   Patterns

   • a hairdresser
   • go to the hairdresser's
   • work as a hairdresser

   My hairdresser always knows exactly how I want my hair cut.

   She trained as a hairdresser and now owns her own salon.

   I have an appointment with the hairdresser at three o'clock.

Word forms

Common combinations

go to the hairdresser's

I need to go to the hairdresser's before the party.

a good hairdresser

It's hard to find a good hairdresser who understands curly hair.

hairdresser and beautician

The salon employs a hairdresser and beautician.

recommend a hairdresser

Can you recommend a hairdresser near here?

Synonyms and how they differ

hairstylist

Common in American English and often suggests a focus on styling rather than just cutting; 'hairdresser' is the usual British term.

barber

A barber mainly cuts men's and boys' hair and often shaves beards; a hairdresser can serve anyone and does more styling.

stylist

Short for hairstylist; it can also refer to a fashion stylist, so 'hairdresser' is more specific.

Word family

hairdressing noun

The job or activity of cutting and styling hair: 'She studied hairdressing.'

hair noun

The strands growing on the head; a hairdresser works with hair.

hairdresser's noun

The shop or salon where a hairdresser works: 'I'm going to the hairdresser's.'

Commonly confused: hairdresser or barber?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “hairdresser”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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