# barber

/ˈbɑɹbɝ/ (US) · /bˈɑːbɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/barber
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. hairdresser for men

noun · CEFR A2

a person whose job is to cut hair and shave beards, usually for men.

For teachers: a professional whose primary occupation is cutting, grooming, styling, and shaving the hair and beards of male customers.

- He went to the barber for a quick trim before his job interview.
- The local barber has maintained a loyal clientele for decades, offering traditional straight-razor shaves alongside modern hair styling techniques.

### 2. to cut hair

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to cut someone's hair or beard.

For teachers: to perform the services of a barber, specifically the cutting or grooming of hair and beards.

- The old man spent the afternoon barbering his grandsons in the garden.
- In the historical novel, the protagonist earns a meager living by barbering soldiers during the long winter encampment.

### 3. icy storm

noun · CEFR C2 · Dialect

a very cold storm with sharp pieces of ice that feel like they are cutting your skin.

For teachers: a severe storm characterized by driving ice spicules, typically occurring in coastal regions like the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

- The sailors stayed in the harbor to avoid the dangerous barber blowing off the coast.
- The local weather report warned of a barber approaching the gulf, advising all small vessels to seek immediate shelter from the freezing spray.

Usage: Primarily used in Canadian English, specifically in Atlantic coastal regions.

## Examples

- I need to visit the barber for a quick haircut.
- The local barber is famous for giving the best traditional shaves in the neighborhood.
- While modern salons offer a wide range of chemical treatments, many men still prefer the classic atmosphere and specialized clipper techniques found at a traditional barber.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.