What does hairstyle mean?
A hairstyle is the particular way in which a person's hair is cut, arranged, shaped, or otherwise styled. The term refers not only to the act of preparing the hair but also to the resulting design, such as a short crop, a long arrangement, or a formal updo. It is widely used in everyday conversation, fashion and beauty writing, salons, and descriptions of personal appearance. A hairstyle can communicate aspects of a person's taste, identity, occupation, age, or cultural background, although these meanings are contextual rather than fixed. The word is neutral and suitable for both formal and informal registers. Related terms include the more informal “hairdo” and the more formal “coiffure,” while “haircut” specifically emphasizes cutting the hair rather than the complete design. Hairstyles are also commonly discussed in phrases such as “change your hairstyle” and “hairstyle competition,” reflecting the word's association with fashion, grooming, and personal style.
nounA hairstyle is a particular design or arrangement of a person's hair, including the way it is cut, shaped, or styled.
- A particular design, shape, or arrangement of a person's hair.
"She changed her hairstyle shortly before the wedding."
"The salon specializes in short hairstyles for professional clients."
"His hairstyle made him immediately recognizable in the crowd."
The standard plural of hairstyle is hairstyles.
"The magazine featured hairstyles inspired by the 1920s."
A hairstyle is a small piece of personal design that can signal fashion, identity, mood, and even cultural belonging.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hairstyle come from?
Hairstyle is an English compound formed from the long-established words “hair” and “style.” “Hair” comes from Old English hær, while “style” entered English through Old French from Latin stylus, originally referring to a writing implement and later developing the sense of a distinctive form or manner. The combination hairstyle was in use by the 18th century and became established for the arrangement or design of a person's hair.
How hairstyle is actually used
The word is neutral and common in both formal and informal contexts. “Hairdo” is more informal, while “coiffure” sounds more formal or fashion-oriented.
Easily confused with hairstyle
A hairdo usually refers informally to a person's hairstyle or the act of styling the hair, whereas a hairstyle more often denotes the design or arrangement itself.
A haircut is the act or result of cutting someone's hair, while a hairstyle is the overall shape, arrangement, and appearance of the hair.