blow-dryer

IPA/ˈbləʊ ˌdraɪ.ər/
IPA/ˈbloʊ ˌdraɪ.ɚ/

blow-dryer — noun

1. a small electric device that sends warm air onto wet hair so it dries and is eas

1.nounB1
Definition

a small electric device that sends warm air onto wet hair so it dries and is easier to shape

Example

Aarav used a blow-dryer to dry his hair before school.

use a blow-dryer to dry hair

After swimming, Lucía borrowed the hostel blow-dryer in the bathroom.

Common collocations
  • handheld blow-dryer
  • wall-mounted blow-dryer
  • use a blow-dryer
  • borrow a blow-dryer
  • set the blow-dryer on low heat
Synonyms
  • hair dryer

    the most neutral and very common way to name the appliance

  • hairdryer

    the same appliance written as one word, often in labels or product names

  • dryer

    shorter, but only clear when the hair context is already obvious

Grammar Patterns

use a blow-dryer

dry hair with a blow-dryer

Usage Note

Hair dryer is a very common alternative for the same appliance. People often mention heat, speed, or styling attachments when talking about how they use it.

Common Mistakes

Turn on the blow-dryer to cool the whole room.
Turn on the fan to cool the whole room.
A blow-dryer is for drying or styling hair, not for cooling a room.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Blow-dryer, hair dryer, and hairdryer all name the same basic appliance, but they feel slightly different in use. Hair dryer is the most neutral everyday form and works well in speech, product descriptions, and general writing. Hairdryer, written as one word, often appears on labels, packaging, or in British-style usage. Blow-dryer sounds a little more conversational and can draw attention to the stream of air, especially when someone is talking about styling as well as drying. Dryer by itself is shorter and may sound natural when the hair context is already clear, but it is less exact because it can also mean a machine for clothes. In a salon, someone may ask for a hair dryer, while a friend at home may casually say blow-dryer.

hair dryerhairdryerdryer ↗blow-dryer ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • use a blow-dryer
  • borrow a blow-dryer
  • set the blow-dryer on low heat
  • wall-mounted blow-dryer

Etymology

English

Blow-dryer is a modern English compound built from blow and dryer. The name describes what the appliance does: it blows heated air over wet hair so the hair dries and can be shaped more easily.

First known use

1971

1971, in the meaning defined above