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Synonyms

hairstyle

American  
Or hair style

noun

  1. a style of cutting, arranging, or combing the hair; hairdo; coiffure.


hairstyle British  
/ ˈhɛəˌstaɪl /

noun

  1. a particular mode of arranging, cutting, or setting the hair

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of hairstyle

First recorded in 1910–15; hair + style

Explanation

A hairstyle is the way you get your hair cut or how you arrange it. If you like to shave the sides of your head and gel up the rest of your hair in a spiky mohawk, that's your hairstyle. If your hair stylist or barber says, "Do you want your usual hairstyle?" it means they wonder if you'd like the same crew cut or bob you got last time. A fancy hairstyle, which you can also call a hairdo, might just be for a special occasion: "I'll have a curly hairstyle for the prom, how about you?"

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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.

Underneath Mr Fantasy's black, shoulder-length wig - a hairstyle that's been compared to Shrek character Lord Farquaad - it's hard to deny he and Apa share a few traits.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

Kim Ju Ae’s “half-updo” mirrors the hairstyle favored by her mother, North Korea’s first lady, Ri Sol Ju.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 28, 2026

Actor Michael Douglas, a longtime Riley friend who was on hand on Sunday, says Riley's trademark swept-back hairstyle inspired the look for his 1987 Oscar-winning role as banker Gordon Gekko in "Wall Street."

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

Each highlights Mary’s professional evolution and, of course, her changing wardrobe and hairstyle.

From Salon • Jan. 31, 2026

Same hairstyle that he dyes a different color for each Hunger Games.

From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

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