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hair clip

hair clip

3 1.0
A small metal or plastic thing that holds hair in place
  • noun
  • /hɛr klɪp/
translation icon : clip para el cabello
  • It's a hair clip.
  • wear a hair clip
  • diamond hair clip
  • hold a hair clip

It's like an opened hair clip or like Bobby pin thing and I use that to part my hair.

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Examples

  • So I put my hair in a tight pony and then I've got these cute little hair clips that don't leave creases.

  • She took off her hair clip and shook out long strands of red-tinged mocha.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Do you have a hair clip?

  • Where are my hair clips?

  • I found the hair clip!

  • Take off your hair clip.

  • She had lost her hair clip while we were playing.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Mom, I can't find my pink hair clips.

  • I have a big hair clip, and it's clipped to the side of my monitor.

    Blog text (19)
  • Cassidy used a colorful hair clip to keep her bangs out of her face.

Synonyms

clip
vshair clip
152 1.3

A small device that holds things together, like papers or hair

is the specific small device meant for securing head strands
hairpin
vshair clip
15 1.6

A small metal or plastic pin with two thin parts that holds hair in place

is the wider term for small fasteners, not limited to double prongs
barrette
vshair clip
12 7.5

A small clip that holds hair in place

is the general term for a small securing device, not only decorative
bobby pin
vshair clip
  • US
11 2.2

A small metal clip that holds hair in place

is the broader name for any small fastener used on the head
hairgrip
vshair clip
  • UK
2.7

A small metal clip that holds hair in place

is a general small device for securing head strands regardless of shape
hair slide
vshair clip
3.2

A small decorative clip that holds hair in place

is the general small fastener term, not tied to hinge or decoration
claw clip
vshair clip
3.6

A clip with two rows of teeth that lock together to hold hair

is a broader category of small fasteners without a toothed spring design
hair claw
vshair clip
2.5

A clip with teeth and a spring that holds hair in place

is the general securing device term, not focused on teeth or capacity
hair clamp
vshair clip
2.5

A clip with two comb-like sides and a spring that holds hair in place

is the general small fastener name, not specific to clamp mechanisms
pincurl clip
vshair clip
  • Specialized
6.6

A small metal piece that holds curled hair while styling

is a general securing device, not limited to styling or curl work

How Secure

hair clip
3 1.0
barrette
12 7.5
bobby pin
  • US
11 2.2

Surface Forms

hair clip singular
hair clips plural

Morphology

hair + clip

The meaning 'a small device for holding hair' is directly and compositionally derived from 'hair' (the thing being held) plus 'clip' (a small fastening object). This noun–noun compound follows a common, cross-linguistic compounding pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Hair clip: The name hair clip comes from a simple, literal image: a small metal or plastic clip that closes over the hair to hold it in place. That's why the phrase means a little device 'to hold hair in place'.