WordGarden.iohairline
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈeəlaɪn/
US
- /ˈhɛrˌlaɪn/
Meanings
Noun
the edge where a person's hair begins on the forehead
a very thin line or stroke in drawing, printing, or design
Adjective
extremely thin, narrow, or slight
Beyond the definition
Your hairline isn't just where your hair starts—it's the boundary between your forehead and the beginning of your hair growth. It can be a source of pride, like a strong, full line, or concern, like a receding one. Think about looking in the mirror: that gentle curve at your forehead is your hairline.
The term isn't limited to the head. You might describe someone as having a "high hairline" if it sits farther back on their forehead, or notice a "widow's peak"—a distinct V-shaped point in the center. Beyond anatomy, the word is also used for something extremely thin. For example, you might find a "hairline crack" in a glass or a porcelain plate, meaning a break so narrow it looks like a single strand of hair.
The hairline refers to the edge of hair growth on the forehead and around the sides and back of the head. It's the natural boundary where skin transitions into the hair-covered scalp. While often discussed in relation to aesthetics, it's a surprisingly complex feature influenced by genetics, hormones, and age.
A "full hairline" generally indicates healthy hair growth and is considered desirable for many. However, hairlines naturally change over time. A "receding hairline"—where the line moves backward from the forehead—is a common sign of male-pattern baldness but can also occur in women. The shape of a hairline varies greatly from person to person; some are straight, others are curved, and many people have a "widow's peak" (a V-shaped point in the middle).
Beyond its physical presence on the head, "hairline" is also used before another noun to describe something exceptionally thin. In medical or engineering contexts, you will often hear about a "hairline fracture" in a bone or a "hairline crack" in a structure. These are breaks that are so slim they are barely visible to the naked eye. So, whether you're admiring its fullness, noticing changes with age, or using the term to describe a minute flaw in glass, the hairline can suggest time, genetics, and fine detail.
Examples
- 1
Appearance
He started worrying about his receding hairline in his early thirties.
- Phrasereceding hairline
hair at the front slowly moving farther back
- 2
Hair styling
She smoothed the gel along her hairline before tying her hair up.
- 3
Small damage
There was a hairline crack in the phone screen, but it still worked.
- Phrasehairline crack
a very thin crack
- 4
Medical injury
The doctor said it was only a hairline fracture, so he would not need surgery.
- Domainhairline fracture
a very small break in a bone
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- hairlinenoun
Forms
- hairlinespluralnoun