hairbrush
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈeəbrʌʃ/
US
- /hˈɛrbrʌʃ/
Description
- tool for grooming and styling hair
- handheld brush for detangling
- personal care item
A hairbrush is a simple tool people use every day to keep their hair neat. It helps smooth out tangles, tidy loose strands, and shape hair while getting ready. You might reach for one after a shower, before school or work, or while fixing your style for a special event. It is part of an ordinary routine, but it can also feel personal and familiar.
These brushes come in many forms. Some are wide and flat for long hair, some are round for styling with a hairdryer, and some have vents to let air pass through more easily. Bristles may be soft or firm, depending on the job. A well-used one often becomes part of the story of daily mornings, quiet evenings, and the small habits that shape how someone presents themselves.
A hairbrush is a handheld tool used to groom and style hair. People use it to remove tangles, smooth strands, and arrange hair into a desired shape. Most are made for human hair, though similar brushes are also used for animals. Although it seems like an ordinary object, it has long been part of everyday life, with older versions made from wood, bone, and other natural materials.
Its main purpose is to detangle and smooth hair. Brushing can also help spread natural oils from the scalp through the hair, which may make the hair look smoother and shinier. Many people use a brush as part of their routine after washing, drying, or styling their hair.
Different kinds are designed for different needs. A paddle brush is often used for detangling and smoothing longer hair. A round brush is commonly used with a hairdryer to add curl, lift, or shape. A vent brush allows air to pass through while drying, which can make styling quicker. Bristles can be made from plastic, nylon, natural materials, or metal, depending on the design.
Beyond its practical use, a hairbrush can also carry a quiet personal meaning. It may remind someone of childhood, a family routine, or the calm moment of getting ready at the start or end of the day. In that way, it is not only a grooming tool but also a familiar object tied to care, habit, and self-expression.
Examples
- 1
Getting ready
She picked up her hairbrush and started getting ready.
- 2
Travel bag
I keep a spare hairbrush in my travel bag.
- 3
Wet hair
This hairbrush works better on wet hair than my old one.
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- hairbrushnoun
Forms
- hairbrushespluralnoun