Synonyms for “hair”

noun

1. = locks, mane, tresses, shock, mop, head of hair • a girl with long blonde hair

   See by a hair

   See get in someone's hair

   See let your hair down

   See make someone's hair stand on end

   See not turn a hair

   See split hairs

   related mania trichomania
   Hair has long been a focus of care and attention for humans, even seen as our 'crowning glory'. The extended meanings and idioms involving hair tend to refer either to the physical appearance of hair or the emotions. A hair describes a very small amount or distance in the expression by a hair ('s breadth), meaning 'very close', which is also like the phrase by a whisker. Physical fineness of hair is also referenced in the expression split hairs whereby petty distinctions are made. Other expressions with hair allude to emotional states, such as get in your hair meaning 'annoy'. The idea that emotions can affect the hair has its foundation in fact in that cold, fear, and shock cause body hair to erect, literally hair-raising or making your hair stand on end. In olden times, the elaborate hairdressing of ladies and gentlemen in public meant that they would only let their hair down in private, thus the meaning of relaxing, or becoming confidential, developed.