Skip to main content
pocket comb

pocket comb

2.1
A small tool with teeth used to tidy hair that fits in a pocket
  • noun
translation icon : peine de bolsillo
  • She bought a colorful pocket comb to keep her hair tidy while traveling.

Examples

Synonyms

comb
vspocket comb
49 1.0

A flat tool with teeth used to untangle hair and fibers

is smaller and designed to fit in clothing for on the go grooming
pocketcomb
vspocket comb
4.8

A small comb you carry in a pocket to fix your hair

has identical meaning but is written as two separate words

How Portable

pocket comb
2.1
comb
49 1.0

Surface Forms

pocket comb singular
pocket combs plural

Morphology

pocket + comb

The meaning 'a small, portable comb designed to fit in a pocket' is directly and compositionally derived from 'pocket' (a small pouch) + 'comb' (a hair tool); the noun–noun compound straightforwardly denotes a comb sized for a pocket. This is a common, cross-linguistically transparent compounding pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

The compound noun pocket comb comes from the simple idea of a comb small enough to fit in a pocket, so you can tidy your hair 'on the go'. That's why it means a small, easy-to-carry comb for quick touch-ups.