hairsbreadth

American  

[hairz-bredth, -bretth, -breth] / ˈhɛərzˌbrɛdθ, -ˌbrɛtθ, -ˌbrɛθ /

Also hair's-breadth,

noun

1. a very small space or distance.

   We escaped an accident by a hairsbreadth.

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adjective

1. extremely narrow or close.

Etymology

Origin of hairsbreadth

First recorded in 1575–85

Example Sentences

“This is why last year was much more stressful in many ways. We did come within a hairsbreadth of triaging patients last year.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 10, 2022

These factors could already be steering the world ever closer to a new Cuban Missile Crisis, when the world came within a hairsbreadth of nuclear incineration.

From Salon • Nov. 1, 2018

Sagan won the race by a hairsbreadth with some deft sprinting at the finish line.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2018

Most people might be in a bit of a flap on hairsbreadth avoidance of death.

From The Guardian • Feb. 15, 2017

He disarmed suspicion by transparent honesty, and he impelled respect for his words by always promising or giving warning of not a hairsbreadth more than he was perfectly willing and thoroughly prepared to perform.

From Theodore Roosevelt and His Times by Howland, Harold