hairline

noun

hair·​line ˈher-ˈlīn 

1

: a very slender line: such as

a

: a tiny line or crack on a surface

a hairline bone fracture

b

: a fine line connecting thicker strokes in a printed letter

2

: hairbreadth

3

a

: a textile design consisting of lengthwise or crosswise lines usually one thread wide

b

: a fabric with such a design

4

a

: the outline of scalp hair especially on the forehead

b

: the way the hair frames the face

hairline adjective

Synonyms

• ace
• hair
• hairbreadth
• hairsbreadth
• hop, skip, and jump
• inch
• neck
• shouting distance
• step
• stone's throw

Examples of hairline in a Sentence

The plate had a hairline running across it.

He has a receding hairline.

Recent Examples on the Web

To get the effect, place your fingers in an L-shape at the cheekbone-with the index finger positioned along the hairline toward the temple and the thumb on the cheek to delineate the exact application area using powder blush. —Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024

After 475 hours of testing the best growth-inducing conditioners on the market, this bottle delivered the most on regrowth, resulting in new strands along the hairline and healthier, thicker, longer hair in general. —Alyssa Brascia, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024

Less than two weeks after returning, Freeman took a bad-hop ground ball off his right hand and suffered a hairline fracture in his middle finger. —Bill Plunkett, Orange County Register, 30 Aug. 2024

With the syringes of my fat ready for injection, Dr. Tepper placed the cannula into the two different access points on both sides of my face: at the corner of my eyebrows to fill the tear trough and cheek area, and at the hairline to fill my temples. —Taryn Brooke, Allure, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

hairline

noun

hair·​line ˈha(ə)r-ˌlīn 

ˈhe(ə)r-

1

a

: a very slender line

b

: a very thin crack on a surface

a hairline bone fracture

2

: the outline of the hair on the head and especially on the forehead

hairline adjective

Medical Definition

hairline

noun

hair·​line -ˈlīn 

: the outline of scalp hair especially on the forehead

hairline adjective