a hair

USAGE SUMMARY

Sentence Yes, "hairdo" is a valid and commonly used term in written English.
It is mainly used to refer to the style of someone's hair, for example, "I spent hours perfecting my hairdo this morning".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A hair here, a hair there.

The New York Times

"It was a hair factory.

The New York Times

She hadn't moved a hair.

The New Yorker

A hair trigger, you see?

The Guardian - Sport

A hair stylist.

The New Yorker

A hair appointment?

The New York Times

But only by a hair.

The New York Times

"I have a hair appointment".

The New York Times

This is a hair don't.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"A hair and makeup day".

The Guardian

A hair on the bed?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a hair" in idiomatic expressions like "by "a hair"'s breadth", ensure the context clearly conveys the intended figurative meaning.

Common error

Avoid literal interpretations of the phrase "a hair" in idiomatic contexts. For example, "by "a hair"'s breadth" refers to a narrow margin, not the physical width of hair.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hair" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples illustrate its role in various contexts, from literal descriptions to idiomatic expressions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

35%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a hair" is a common and versatile expression in English, predominantly functioning as a noun phrase. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it's used literally to refer to a single strand of hair and figuratively in idioms like "by "a hair"'s breadth." Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, from news reports to everyday conversations. The high frequency across news, wiki, and scientific sources indicates its widespread usage and general acceptance. Ludwig's examples confirm the phrase's grammatical correctness and diverse applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a single hair

Emphasizes the singularity and individuality of the hair.

a strand of hair

Focuses specifically on a single, thin piece of hair, emphasizing its physical attribute.

a wisp of hair

Conveys the idea of a very fine and delicate piece of hair.

a lock of hair

Implies a small bunch or curl of hair, often with sentimental value.

a tuft of hair

Refers to a small clump or cluster of hair.

a bit of hair

Indicates a small quantity of hair, less specific than "a strand".

some hair

Refers to an unspecified amount of hair, generally small.

a clipping of hair

Suggests hair that has been cut or trimmed.

a hair follicle

Focuses on the anatomical structure from which hair grows.

a hair's breadth

Refers to a very small margin or distance, using hair as a metaphor.

FAQs

How is "a hair" used in common expressions?

The phrase "a hair" often appears in idioms like "by "a hair"'s breadth", meaning by a very small margin, or in descriptions of physical appearance related to hair.

What are some synonyms for "a hair"?

Synonyms include "a strand of hair", "a lock of hair", or "a single hair", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "an hair" instead of "a hair"?

No, the correct article to use before "hair" is "a", not "an". "An" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.

What does it mean when someone says they escaped something "by "a hair""?

Escaping something "by "a hair"" means they narrowly avoided a negative outcome or situation, only just managing to escape it.