hair definition - Dictionary

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hair

hair [ her ] (plural hairs)

noun

Definition:

1. strands growing on head or body: the mass of fine flexible protein strands that grow from follicles on the skin of a person or animal, especially those on somebody's head

2. single strand: a fine strand that grows out of the skin of a person or animal

The rug was covered with dog hairs.

3. fine growth on plant: a thin flexible growth on a plant resembling a human or animal hair

4. fabric: fabric made from animal hair

5. tiny amount: a tiny amount or degree

won by a hair

[ Old English hǣr< Germanic]

haired [ haird ] adjective

hair·less adjective

hair·less·ness noun

be tearing your hair out to be very irritated or frustrated

have somebody by the short hairs U.K. to have somebody in your control or power (informal)

let your hair down to behave in a more relaxed way than usual (informal)

not turn a hair to remain completely calm

split hairs to argue about or give undue significance to fine distinctions and details

the hair of the dog (that bit you) an alcoholic drink taken as a supposed cure for a hangover (informal)

Spelling Note


	hair or hare? Do not confuse the spelling of hair and hare, which sound similar. The word hair means "a strand or mass of fine strands growing out of the skin" (a girl with black hair, dog hairs all over my pants), or "a tiny amount" (to win by a hair). The word hare denotes an animal resembling a large rabbit.