frizz

IPA/frɪz/
KK[frˈɪz]IPA/frɪz/

frizz — noun

1. a rough, uneven texture that develops in naturally curly or wavy hair when the s

1.nounB1
Definition

a rough, uneven texture that develops in naturally curly or wavy hair when the strands separate and lose their smoothness and shine, often made worse by damp weather

Example

The rain turned Zuri's smooth ponytail into a mess of frizz within seconds.

caused by humidity / damp weather

The new conditioner helps control frizz and makes Devika's curls look glossy all day long.

collocation: control frizz / eliminate frizz

Common collocations
  • control frizz
  • reduce frizz
  • anti-frizz product
  • frizz-free hair
  • eliminate frizz
  • tame frizz
Synonyms
  • frizziness

    direct synonym; slightly more formal and less common in everyday speech

  • kink

    refers to a sharp bend or twist in a single strand rather than overall texture

  • flyaways

    specifically the short, fine strands that stick up from the main hair, not the general condition

Antonyms
  • smoothness

    the opposite state of hair lying flat and shiny

  • shine

    glossy, light-reflecting surface that frizzy hair lacks

Grammar Patterns

usually singular: the frizz

Usage Note

Often uncountable; when used as a countable noun it typically refers to a specific instance (e.g., 'a bad case of the frizz'). Frequent collocations include 'control frizz', 'reduce frizz', and 'anti-frizz'.

Common Mistakes

My hair gets frizz in the summer.
My hair gets frizzy in the summer.
'frizz' is a noun (the condition), not an adjective. Use 'frizzy' as the adjective form.

2. a very small, compact spiral shape in the hair that is wound tightly rather than

2.nounB2
Definition

a very small, compact spiral shape in the hair that is wound tightly rather than forming a loose wave

Example

Mira's natural hair grew in tight little frizzes that bounced around her face like springs.

countable use: 'a frizz' = an individual tight curl

The stylist used a thin curling iron to create tiny frizzes all over Valentina's head for the party.

Common collocations
  • tight frizz
  • little frizzes
  • frizz of curls
  • mass of frizz
Synonyms
  • curl

    general term for any curved hair shape; 'frizz' specifically implies a very tight, small curl

  • ringlet

    a long, hanging curl, unlike the compact shape of a frizz

Antonyms
  • wave

    a loose, gentle curve rather than a tight spiral

Grammar Patterns

countable: a frizz (a single tight curl)

uncountable: hair full of frizz

Usage Note

This sense is countable when referring to an individual tight curl ('a frizz') and uncountable when describing the overall hair texture ('covered in frizz'). Distinguish from sense 1, which describes an undesirable rough texture — this sense is neutral and can be positive when describing a deliberate curl style.

Common Mistakes

She has frizz in her hair' (unclear which sense).
She has frizz in her hair
it needs smoothing' (sense 1) OR 'Her hair is full of tight little frizzes' (sense 2). — Use context or the countable form to make the meaning clear.

frizz — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe some form of hair imperfection, but they differ in scope. 'Frizz' (sense 1) is the broadest term — it refers to the overall rough, uneven texture of curly or wavy hair that lacks smoothness. 'Frizziness' is a direct synonym that sounds slightly more clinical or technical ('the frizziness of her hair was worsened by the humidity'). 'Kink' is more specific: it refers to a sharp bend or twist in an individual hair strand rather than the overall surface texture — a person with wavy hair might have a few kinks but not full frizz. 'Flyaways' is narrower still, describing only the short, fine strands that stick up from the main body of hair, often caused by static electricity. In everyday speech, 'I have frizz' is most natural; 'I have flyaways' is used when only the top layer is affected, and 'kink' is rare in casual conversation about hair.

frizz ↗frizziness ↗kink ↗flyaways

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • control frizz
  • reduce frizz
  • eliminate frizz
  • anti-frizz product
  • frizz-free
  • tame the frizz
  • frizz up

Prepositions

Etymology

FrenchEnglish

The word 'frizz' comes from French 'friser', meaning 'to curl'. It entered English in the mid-1600s and originally described hair that had been curled or crimped. Over time it developed a second, more negative meaning referring to unwanted rough texture caused by humidity. The two modern senses — one neutral (tight curls) and one negative (uneven texture) — reflect this historical split.

First known use

1660

1660, in the meaning defined at transitive sense Noun