hairdressing

hairdressing — noun

1. the skilled work of providing hair care services such as cutting, washing, styli

1.nounB1
Definition

the skilled work of providing hair care services such as cutting, washing, styling, and colouring hair for customers.

Example

Ayana decided to study hairdressing at the local college after finishing high school.

uncountable noun used as field of study

The hairdressing course at Élise's school covers cutting, colouring, and styling techniques.

collocation: hairdressing course

Common collocations
  • hairdressing salon
  • hairdressing course
  • hairdressing school
  • hairdressing business
  • hairdressing scissors
  • hairdressing techniques
Synonyms
  • hairstyling

    focuses more on creative design and shaping rather than basic cutting and washing

  • barbering

    specifically refers to cutting and grooming men's hair and beards

  • cosmetology

    a broader field that includes skin care, nail care, and makeup in addition to hair (more common in US English)

Grammar Patterns

hairdressing + noun

Usage Note

Frequently combined with other nouns to describe training or workplace contexts, e.g. hairdressing salon, hairdressing course, or hairdressing scissors. As an uncountable noun, it takes a singular verb.

Common Mistakes

She works as a hairdressing.
She works as a hairdresser.
hairdressing is the name of the profession, not the person who does it.
I learned many hairdressings in school.
I learned many hairdressing techniques in school.
hairdressing is uncountable and does not take a plural form.

2. any product designed to clean, condition, style, or treat the hair, including sh

2.nounC1
Definition

any product designed to clean, condition, style, or treat the hair, including shampoos, conditioners, gels, and oils.

Example

David picked up a jar of hairdressing from the barber shop counter.

countable use with 'a jar of'

The old barber still uses the same brand of hairdressing he has trusted for years.

Common collocations
  • jar of hairdressing
  • tin of hairdressing
  • brand of hairdressing
  • hairdressing products
  • hairdressing supplies
Synonyms
  • hair product

    the more common modern term for any substance used on the hair

  • hair tonic

    a specific type of hairdressing, usually liquid, applied to the scalp

Usage Note

Less common in modern everyday English than hair products or hair care products. The use of hairdressing for a specific product is mainly associated with traditional barbershops or older generations.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Hairdressing is the broadest term for the profession of cutting, washing, and styling hair. Hairstyling places greater emphasis on creative design — a hairstylist may specialise in colour, braids, or updos rather than basic trims. Barbering is a distinct trade focused on men's short haircuts, beard trims, and straight-razor shaving, typically learned through separate apprenticeship programmes. Cosmetology (more common in the US) covers the full spectrum of beauty treatments: hair, skin, nails, and makeup. In practice, a hairdresser might also offer hairstyling services, but a barber usually works only with men's hair and shaving, while a cosmetologist has a broader licence that includes but goes beyond hair.

hairdressing ↗hairstylingbarberingcosmetology

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • hairdressing salon
  • hairdressing course
  • hairdressing school
  • hairdressing business
  • hairdressing industry

Etymology

Old EnglishOld FrenchEnglish

Formed in English from 'hair' (from Old English hǣr, meaning a single strand or the full head of hair) and 'dressing' (from the verb 'dress', from Old French dresser meaning to arrange, prepare, or set in order). The compound first appeared in the 18th century, originally referring to the act of arranging or styling hair, and later extended to both the profession and the products used in it.