haircut

American  

[hair-kuht] / ˈhɛərˌkʌt /

noun

1. an act or instance of cutting the hair.

2. the style in which the hair is cut and worn, especially men's hair.

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haircut British  

/ ˈhɛəˌkʌt /

noun

1. the act or an instance of cutting the hair

2. the style in which hair has been cut

3. slang stock exchange a percentage of the value of an asset deducted to account for a possible fall in its value before it can be liquidated

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• haircutting
  noun
• haircutter
  noun

Etymology

Origin of haircut

First recorded in 1895–1900; hair + cut

Explanation

A haircut is what a barber does when he trims your hair with scissors. You might decide it's time for a haircut when your bangs are hanging in your eyes. Some people go to fancy salons for a haircut, while others visit a barber or trust a friend to give them a haircut. You can call the resulting style — the layered sides or shaved neck — a haircut too. If your haircut is striking or unusual, like a spiky purple Mohawk, you'll probably get lots of comments and admiring glances. The haircut is believed to date from A.U.C. 454, in ancient Rome.

Example Sentences

“If you’re at the gym or getting a haircut and everyone is talking about ‘Are we in a bubble,’” says Lamont, “that’s a pretty good clue that we might be in a bubble.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

“Richard’s writing is really unique and really singular,” Bell says on a video call from England, where he’s currently shooting the “Peaky Blinders” sequel series and is sporting a shorter haircut.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

Your financial adviser — bless his expensive haircut — only knows about the fake one.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

That would be a 14% haircut from current prices.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

Because he needed a haircut his face looked thin.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers

Related Words

• crew cut
• hairdo
• hairstyle