Meaning & use
split ends
Last updated
Meanings
nounplural
The dry, separated tips of long hair where a strand has divided into two or more parts.
Grammar: Takes a plural verb; the singular form is 'a split end'.
Patterns
- have split ends
- get split ends
- trim split ends
After months without a haircut, she noticed split ends all along the bottom of her hair.
Using too much heat on your hair can cause split ends.
A quick trim is the best way to get rid of split ends.
nouncountableAmericansport
In American football, a player positioned at the end of the line, away from the main group of players.
Grammar: Usually singular; in this sports sense it is written 'split end'.
Patterns
- play split end
- a split end
He played split end in college before switching to defense.
The coach moved him to split end to use his speed.
Word forms
| singular | split end |
|---|
Common combinations
- have split ends
- I need a haircut – I have split ends everywhere.
- get split ends
- If you brush wet hair too hard, you can get split ends.
- trim split ends
- The stylist trimmed my split ends in ten minutes.
- prevent split ends
- A weekly deep conditioner can help prevent split ends.
Commonly confused: split ends or split end?
split ends vs split end
The singular form refers to one damaged hair tip. In American football, 'split end' is a player position, not a hair problem.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
'Split ends' is a plural noun, so it needs a plural verb and no article: 'has a lot of split ends'. 'Split end' (option 1) is singular and would need 'a'; 'splits ends' (option 2) is not a real form; 'hair have' (option 3) is wrong because 'hair' is uncountable and takes a singular verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “split ends”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.