barber

¹

[bahr-ber]

noun

1. a person whose occupation it is to cut and dress the hair of customers, especially men, and to shave or trim the beard.

2. frost smoke.

verb (used with object)

1. to trim or dress the hair or beard of.

Barber

²

[bahr-ber]

noun

1. Samuel, 1910–81, U.S. composer.

barber

¹

/ ˈbɑːbə /

noun

1. a person whose business is cutting men's hair and shaving or trimming beards

verb

1. to cut the hair of

2. to shave or trim the beard of

Barber

²

/ ˈbɑːbə /

noun

1. Samuel . 1910–81, US composer: his works include an Adagio for Strings , adapted from the second movement of his string quartet No. 1 (1936) and the opera Vanessa (1958)

Other Word Forms

• unbarbered adjective
• well-barbered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of barber¹

1275–1325; Middle English barbour < Anglo-French; Old French barbeor, equivalent to barb ( e ) (< Latin barba beard) + -eor < Latin -ātōr- -ator

Word History and Origins

Origin of barber¹

C13: from Old French barbeor , from barbe beard, from Latin barba

Example Sentences

Project Coffee Cup has built partnerships with individuals who operate work programs in Santa Ana as well as local barbers, and also hosts paint parties for youths affected by homelessness.

From Los Angeles Times

As part of the Pride in Place programme, the government says it wants to encourage councils to block unwanted new betting and vaping shops, along with "fake" barbers.

From BBC

She described the conditions in which they had been held, including cramped cells and a maximum security prison holding "murderers", fenced with barbered wire and where guards carried machine guns.

From BBC

At the local barbers we met a witness, 42, who did not want to be named.

From BBC

Others, like the jail, the livery and a barber shop are just facades — great for selfies but little else.

From Los Angeles Times