Hairstyle

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A particular way of cutting, arranging, or styling the hair on a person's head
2. A specific method of cutting, positioning, or ornamenting the hair on an individual's head to enhance appearance or express personal style
3. A distinct approach to trimming, organizing, or accessorizing the hair atop someone's head, often reflecting cultural or fashion trends

Etymology: "Hairstyle" is a plain compound: "hair" joined to "style," the latter borrowed from Latin "stilus," a writing instrument with a pointed end, which passed through Old French and Middle English to mean a manner or fashion of doing something. Combining the two gives a word for the particular way someone's hair is arranged, whether cut, set, braided, or left loose. The formation is transparent enough that the word needed little invention; English speakers simply joined two familiar terms to name a specific kind of arrangement. Its meaning stays close to its parts, so the noun does exactly what its components suggest.

Synonyms: hairdo, coiffure, cut, style