Meaning & use
locks of hair
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Meanings
phraseplural
Several separate groups or strands of hair, especially when they are thick, curly, or arranged in a particular way.
Grammar: Always plural in this form; for one group, say 'a lock of hair'.
Patterns
- locks of hair
- a lock of hair
She pulled her dark locks of hair back into a loose ponytail.
The stylist separated the locks of hair before curling them.
He kept a small lock of hair from his first haircut.
phraseplural
A few strands of hair kept as a keepsake or memory of someone.
Grammar: Usually used in the singular 'a lock of hair' for a keepsake; the plural can refer to more than one keepsake.
Patterns
- keep a lock of hair
- a lock of hair from someone
The mother saved a lock of hair from her baby's first cut.
In the locket was a lock of hair from her grandmother.
Word forms
| singular | lock of hair |
|---|
Common combinations
- long locks of hair
- She brushed her long locks of hair until they shone.
- golden locks of hair
- The child had golden locks of hair that curled at the ends.
- a lock of hair
- He kept a lock of hair in a small envelope.
- thick locks of hair
- Thick locks of hair fell over her shoulders.
Synonyms and how they differ
- strands
- Use 'strands' for individual thin pieces of hair; 'locks' suggests thicker, more noticeable groups.
- tresses
- 'Tresses' is a literary word for long flowing hair, while 'locks of hair' is more neutral and can refer to short or long hair.
Word family
- lock noun
- A single group of hairs; also a device for fastening a door.
Commonly confused: locks of hair or locks?
locks of hair vs locks
'Locks' can mean the hair on your head, or fasteners for doors. 'Locks of hair' specifically means separate groups or strands.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'locks of hair' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option 0 correctly uses 'locks of hair' as a plural phrase for groups of hair. Option 1 is nonsense because 'locks of hair' cannot be teeth. Option 2 confuses 'locks' (door fasteners) with hair. Option 3 is grammatically possible but less natural; 'washed her hair' is more common.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “locks of hair”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.