barber

barber — noun

IPA/ˈbɑːbə(r)/
KK[bˈɑrbɚ]IPA/ˈbɑːrbər/
  • barbersingular
  • barbersplural

1. someone paid to cut men's hair and tidy or shave beards.

1.nounB1
Definition

someone paid to cut men's hair and tidy or shave beards.

Example

Brian asked the barber to leave a little more hair on top.

ask the barber to + verb

After school, Hui works part-time as a barber at the mall.

work as a barber

Common collocations
  • local barber
  • skilled barber
  • ask the barber
  • barber's chair
Synonyms
  • hairdresser

    broader and not limited to men's hair or beard care

  • hairstylist

    often suggests a salon or a more fashion-focused service

Grammar Patterns

work as a barber

ask the barber to + verb

the local barber

Usage Note

Use this sense for the person who does the work. If you mean the business or place, use sense 2 or words such as 'barbershop' or 'barber's' instead.

Common Mistakes

My barber shop cut my hair well.
My barber cut my hair well.
the barber is the person; the shop is the business.

2. a barber's shop where people go for haircuts and beard care.

2.nounB2
Definition

a barber's shop where people go for haircuts and beard care.

Example

A new barber opened beside the bakery on Oak Street last month.

a barber opened = shop or business

The barber near the station stays open until nine on Fridays.

the barber near + place

Common collocations
  • local barber
  • cheap barber
  • barber near the station
  • book a haircut at the barber
Synonyms
  • barbershop

    the more direct and common word for the place, especially in American English

  • salon

    broader and can suggest a less traditional haircut business

Grammar Patterns

a barber opened

at the barber

the barber near + place

Usage Note

In this sense, barber names the shop or business rather than the worker. It usually appears with place context, and many speakers prefer 'barbershop' or 'barber's' for the place itself.

barber — verb

IPA/ˈbɑː.bər/
KK[bˈɑrbɚ]IPA/ˈbɑːr.bɚ/

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These words all connect with cutting hair, but they suggest different kinds of work. A barber is usually linked with men's haircuts, beard trimming, clippers, and a more traditional shop setting. A hairdresser is broader and can work with many kinds of customers and styles. A hairstylist or stylist often suggests fashion, shaping, colouring, or a salon environment rather than beard care. If Omar wants a fade and a beard line, he is likely to see a barber. If Mei wants a cut and colour for a party, she is more likely to book a hairstylist.

barber ↗hairdresser ↗hairstylist ↗stylist ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • barber chair
  • barber pole
  • barber shop
  • barber school

Phrases

  • work as a barber
  • go to the barber
  • learn to barber
  • barber someone's beard

Prepositions

  • as a barber
  • at the barber
  • to the barber

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchAnglo-FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

The noun and verb come through Anglo-French from a word meaning 'beard'. That history fits the trade's long link with shaving and trimming facial hair as well as cutting hair on the head.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined above Verb