salons

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   Shops where people go to have their hair, nails, or skin cared for.

   Grammar: Countable noun; use 'a salon' for one, 'salons' for more than one. Often used with 'hair', 'beauty', or 'nail' before it.

   Patterns

   • a hair salon
   • a beauty salon
   • a nail salon
   • go to the salon

   She goes to the salon every six weeks to get her hair cut.

   There are three new nail salons on the same street.

   The beauty salon offers facials and massages.

2. 2nouncountableformal

   Regular gatherings of writers, artists, or intellectuals in a private home for conversation.

   Grammar: Countable noun; often used in the plural 'salons' to refer to a series of such events. Can also refer to the room where they meet.

   Patterns

   • literary salon
   • hold a salon
   • attend a salon

   In the 1920s, Paris was famous for its literary salons.

   She hosts a monthly salon where poets read their work.

   The artist attended salons to meet potential buyers.

Word forms

Common combinations

hair salon

I need to book an appointment at the hair salon.

beauty salon

The beauty salon downtown does excellent manicures.

nail salon

She opened a nail salon with her sister.

literary salon

The literary salon attracted famous novelists.

Synonyms and how they differ

parlor

A somewhat old-fashioned word for a shop offering personal services; 'salon' is more common today for hair and beauty.

Word family

salon noun

Singular form; a single shop or gathering.

Commonly confused: salons or saloon?

Practice

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