big hair: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, colloquial, often used in fashion, music, and cultural commentary.
Quick answer
What does “big hair” mean?
A hairstyle that is voluminous, teased, and styled to be very large, often associated with particular fashion eras and subcultures.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A hairstyle that is voluminous, teased, and styled to be very large, often associated with particular fashion eras and subcultures.
Can refer to a bold, exaggerated, or attention-seeking personal style or attitude; metaphorically, something overly elaborate or flamboyant.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in both varieties but has a stronger cultural association with American styles (1980s rock, Texan big hair). In the UK, it might be more specifically linked to 1980s New Romantic or glam rock fashion.
Connotations
US: Often associated with Southern 'hair bands', cheerleaders, and a specific exaggerated femininity. UK: More likely conjure images of 80s pop stars or theatrical glamour.
Frequency
More frequent in American English, particularly in media discussing retro fashion or music scenes.
Grammar
How to Use “big hair” in a Sentence
have + big hairsport + big hairbe known for + (one's) big hairbig hair + of the 80sVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “big hair” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She big-haired it up for the 80s tribute night.
- They spent an hour backcombing to achieve that big-haired look.
American English
- She's gonna big hair for the homecoming dance.
- We used to big hair with half a can of Aqua Net.
adverb
British English
- She styled her hair big-hair, just like the old photos.
- The dancers performed big-hair enthusiastically.
American English
- She's fixin' to do her hair big-hair for the reunion.
- They danced big-hair all night.
adjective
British English
- It was a quintessential big-hair era.
- She had a big-hair moment at the wedding.
American English
- The big-hair bands of the Sunset Strip.
- That's a serious big-hair day.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare, except perhaps in creative industries discussing brand image or retro marketing.
Academic
Used in cultural studies, fashion history, or sociology papers analysing subcultures and aesthetic trends.
Everyday
Used when discussing personal style, reminiscing about past decades, or describing someone's dramatic appearance.
Technical
Not a technical term; used descriptively in hairdressing/beauty contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “big hair”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “big hair”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “big hair”
- Using it to simply describe thick or long hair (it's about style, not density).
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Confusing it with 'big wig' (which means an important person).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be neutral or celebratory when discussing specific fashion or music eras. It can become pejorative when used to mock someone's style as being excessive or dated.
Yes, especially in the context of 1970s/80s rock stars (e.g., hair metal bands) where men's hair was also voluminously styled.
An 'afro' is a natural hairstyle for tightly coiled hair, worn as a symbol of Black pride. 'Big hair' is a constructed style, often involving teasing and products, associated with a performative aesthetic. Conflating them is culturally insensitive.
As a dominant trend, no. However, it appears cyclically in fashion, often in updated or ironic forms (e.g., modern red carpet looks inspired by the 80s), and remains a strong regional style in parts of the US.
A hairstyle that is voluminous, teased, and styled to be very large, often associated with particular fashion eras and subcultures.
Big hair is usually informal, colloquial, often used in fashion, music, and cultural commentary. in register.
Big hair: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡ ˈheə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡ ˈher/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Big hair, don't care (expression of confidence or indifference)”
- “Big hair and loud music”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a giant (BIG) hairball sitting on someone's head. Or think of the 1980s band 'BIG Hair' that had enormous hairstyles.
Conceptual Metaphor
HAIR IS A SCULPTURE (it is built, shaped, and has volume); FASHION IS THEATRE (big hair is a costume or performance).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'big hair' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?