coiffeur

IPA/kwɒfˈɜːr/
IPA/kwɑːˈfɝː/

coiffeur — noun

  • coiffeursingular
  • coiffeursplural

1. A man whose job is to cut, style, and arrange hair, usually for women in a salon

1.nounC1
Definition

A man whose job is to cut, style, and arrange hair, usually for women in a salon. The word is borrowed from French and tends to suggest a skilled or fashionable stylist rather than an ordinary barber.

Example

Mira booked an appointment with a famous Paris coiffeur before her sister's wedding.

famous + coiffeur — high-status stylist

The coiffeur trimmed Salma's long curls and added soft waves around her face.

Common collocations
  • a fashionable coiffeur
  • visit the coiffeur
  • a Paris coiffeur
  • celebrity coiffeur
Synonyms
  • hairdresser

    the everyday English word; neutral register and used for either sex

  • hairstylist

    common in American English; emphasises styling skill rather than the job title

  • barber

    traditionally cuts men's hair and shaves beards; lower register than coiffeur

Grammar Patterns

a coiffeur

the coiffeur

Usage Note

Borrowed directly from French and carries an upscale, fashion-industry tone; in everyday English a plain hairdresser, stylist, or barber is far more common. Distinguish from the feminine French form 'coiffeuse', which English speakers rarely use.

Common Mistakes

I took my dog to the coiffeur for a haircut.
I took my dog to the groomer for a haircut.
coiffeur applies only to people's hair, especially women's, not pets.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe someone who cuts and arranges people's hair, but they differ in register, gender, and the kind of service offered. 'Coiffeur' is a French loan-word with an upscale, fashion-industry feel; it almost always refers to a man who styles women's hair in a salon. 'Hairdresser' is the everyday neutral term used in British and American English for any professional, regardless of sex. 'Hairstylist' (more common in North America) emphasises creative styling rather than basic cutting. 'Barber' traditionally serves men and offers haircuts plus beard work, and it suggests a simpler, less expensive shop. For example, a busy office worker visits the barber for a quick trim, while a film star may fly in their personal coiffeur before a premiere.

hairdresser ↗hairstylist ↗barber ↗stylist ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • go to the coiffeur
  • the family coiffeur
  • celebrity coiffeur

Prepositions

Etymology

FrenchEnglish

The word 'coiffeur' was borrowed unchanged from French in the early 1800s. It comes from the French verb 'coiffer' meaning 'to dress or arrange the hair', which in turn derives from 'coiffe', an old French word for a close-fitting cap or head-covering. English adopted it to label a stylish hairdresser, keeping the French spelling and a slight air of fashion and luxury.