barber
barber
Pronunciation
barber
/ˈbɑːrbər/
bar: /bɑːr/
/b/ - voiced bilabial plosive
/ɑː/ - open back unrounded vowel (long 'a' sound)
/r/ - voiced alveolar approximant
ber: /bər/
/b/ - voiced bilabial plosive (often very short or elided)
/ər/ - vocalic r (schwa + r sound)
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: barber
Plural: barbers
Verb:
Infinitive: to barber
Present Tense (third person singular): barbers
Present Participle: barbering
Past Tense: barbered
Past Participle: barbered
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A skilled professional who specializes in cutting, styling, and trimming hair, particularly for men, often also offering services like shaving and beard grooming.
Synonyms: hairstylist, coiffeur (dated), tonsorial artist (formal/literary)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; a person who does not cut hair)
A shop or establishment where a barber works, offering hair-cutting and grooming services.
Synonyms: barbershop, salon (though "salon" is more general and often refers to women's hair care)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; a place that does not cut hair)
Verb
To cut, style, or trim someone's hair, especially in a professional capacity, or to perform the services typically offered by a barber.
Synonyms: cut (hair), style (hair), trim (hair), groom
Antonyms: grow (hair), neglect (hair)
Examples of Use
Books
"The barber, a small man with nimble fingers, hummed a tuneless melody as he meticulously shaped the client's beard, a ritual perfected over decades." (From a novel describing a historical setting)
Newspapers
"Local barber shops are seeing a resurgence in popularity, as men seek out classic cuts and the communal atmosphere they offer." (The Daily Herald)
Online Publications
"Understanding the diverse needs of different hair types is crucial for any aspiring barber looking to make their mark in the industry." (Modern Salon Magazine Online)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Film: In the movie Barbershop (2002), the barber shop serves as the central hub for community interaction and personal stories.
Television: "He decided to visit a traditional barber for a hot towel shave, an experience he'd always wanted to try." (From a travel documentary series, specific episode unknown)
Music: The lyrics of a folk song might include a line like, "The barber in the town square, he knows all the gossip there."
Podcasts: "On today's episode, we speak with a master barber about the artistry behind classic men's hairstyles and the evolution of the profession." (From a lifestyle podcast, specific episode unknown)
General Public Discourse
"I need to get a haircut; I'm going to see my barber this afternoon." (Casual conversation)
"My granddad always went to the same barber for fifty years – said no one else could get his fade just right." (Family anecdote)
"They're opening a new barber shop on Main Street; it looks really retro inside." (Local community discussion)
10 Quotes Using Barber
"I am not a fan of the barber shop, but I'm going to get a haircut." (Donald Trump, 2016)
"A good barber is a man's best friend." (Unknown, common saying)
"I always wanted to be a barber because I love to talk." (Mister T, 2017)
"The barber lathers the face and shaves it clean; so should we do with our vices." (Mark Twain, Aphorisms)
"A man without a beard is like a lion without a mane: he is no longer a lion but a simple barber." (African proverb)
"He that will have a cake out of the wheat, must tarry the grinding; but if he tarry too long, the barber will have his beard." (William Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida)
"I have a good barber that comes to my house." (Floyd Mayweather Jr., 2015)
"My father was a barber by trade, and he believed in hard work." (Tony Bennett, 2016)
"The barber's chair is a place where you can be yourself." (Ice Cube, 2016)
"A man who goes to a barber is a man who trusts." (Unknown, common saying)
Etymology
The word "barber" has a clear and interesting history! It comes from the Latin word "barba," which means "beard."
Think of how "beard" and "barber" sound similar – that's no accident! The earliest barbers were primarily known for shaving beards, so the word directly reflects this main service.
The first known use of "barber" in English dates back to around the 13th or 14th century, evolving from the Anglo-French "barbour" and Old French "barbeor," both derived from that Latin root.
So, in simple terms, a "barber" is named after the "beard" because that's what they were traditionally most famous for tending to!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Barber
Barber's pole: Refers to the striped pole that traditionally identifies a barber shop.
Barber-surgeon: A historical term for a person who performed both barbering and surgical procedures.
Barber's itch: An old term for a skin irritation, often fungal, affecting the beard area.
To get a barber's trim: To receive a neat, professional haircut.
Clean as a barber's shave: Very neat or precise.
As sharp as a barber's razor: Extremely keen or precise.
The barbershop talk: Refers to informal conversations or discussions that happen in a barber shop, often covering various topics from sports to politics.
Like a new haircut: Feeling refreshed or transformed. (Using a synonym, "haircut," for similar effect)
In the stylist's chair: Implies being in a situation where one is receiving grooming or advice. (Using a synonym, "stylist," for similar effect)
To cut ties (like a barber's snip): To end a relationship or connection abruptly. (Original phrase, using the imagery of a barber's tool)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of barber from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
