Word
hairline
Phoneticshair·line, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhɛɹˌɫaɪn/
UK/hˈeəlaɪn/
Countable noun
Definition
n. the edge where your hair meets your forehead. It can change shape or move higher as you get older.
n. the edge or outline of the growth of hair on the head, especially across the forehead. Often used to describe the progression of male pattern baldness.
Examples
“He noticed his hairline was starting to recede.”
“The barber carefully trimmed the edges to create a sharp, clean hairline for the client.”
“Genetic factors largely determine the shape of one's hairline, though environmental stressors and age can cause the follicles to thin over several decades.”
Examples
simple
“He noticed his hairline was starting to recede.”
contextual
“The barber carefully trimmed the edges to create a sharp, clean hairline for the client.”
complex
“Genetic factors largely determine the shape of one's hairline, though environmental stressors and age can cause the follicles to thin over several decades.”
Usage
Commonly modified by adjectives like 'receding', 'high', or 'widow's peak'.
Real-World Examples
“Don't forget your hairline and any partings to protect your scalp.” Etymology
From hair + line.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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