Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

hairdressing

American  
[hair-dres-ing] / ˈhɛərˌdrɛs ɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act or process of cutting, combing out, doing up, or styling hair.

  2. the vocation or occupation of a hairdresser.

  3. a style of arranging the hair; hairdo; coiffure.

  4. a preparation, as tonic, oil, pomade, or the like, applied to the hair for increased manageability.


Etymology

Origin of hairdressing

First recorded in 1765–75; hair + dressing

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Smith, who owns a hairdressing salon in Croydon, south London, decided she needed to branch out into the dating business with a focus on "the big market of geeky people".

From BBC May 21, 2026

Zoe has had to give up hairdressing because the pain of standing is too much to bear.

From BBC Apr. 14, 2026

Courtney MacKinnon has run a hairdressing business called Cece's Salon in the building for the past four years.

From BBC Mar. 9, 2026

Summer, 16, from Ebbw Vale left her hairdressing course at college but hopes to go back next term after a period on the Jobs Growth Wales+ programme.

From BBC Aug. 11, 2025

“Now that we got our hackles down, what do you think of this hairdressing beautician stuff?”

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training