bobby pin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal, everyday
Quick answer
What does “bobby pin” mean?
A small, flat, sprung metal hairpin with two prongs that close tightly together to hold hair in place.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, flat, sprung metal hairpin with two prongs that close tightly together to hold hair in place.
Any small, simple tool or fastener that operates on a similar clasping principle (e.g., in crafts or electronics). Informally, it can also refer to a tool for lock-picking.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term 'bobby pin' is predominantly American. In British English, the more common term is 'hairgrip' or simply 'grip'.
Connotations
In American English, 'bobby pin' is the default, neutral term. In British English, 'bobby pin' is understood but sounds American; 'hairgrip' is the neutral term.
Frequency
Very high frequency in AmE; moderate frequency in BrE, where 'hairgrip' is more frequent.
Grammar
How to Use “bobby pin” in a Sentence
Use a bobby pin to [VERB] (e.g., hold, secure, fix)[VERB] a bobby pin (e.g., insert, clip, open)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bobby pin” in a Sentence
verb
American English
- She managed to bobby-pin the loose strap to her dress.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; used only in contexts like beauty supply retail.
Academic
Very rare, except in historical/sociological studies of fashion.
Everyday
Very common in domestic and personal grooming contexts.
Technical
Rare; may appear in cosmetology or materials science discussing simple spring mechanics.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bobby pin”
- Using 'bobby pin' to refer to decorative hair clips or large hairpins.
- In BrE, overusing 'bobby pin' instead of 'hairgrip'.
- Misspelling as 'bobbie pin' or 'bobby-pin' (though hyphenated form is sometimes seen).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is understood but is considered an Americanism. The standard British term is 'hairgrip' or 'grip'.
A bobby pin is a specific type of hairpin with two closeable prongs. A 'hairpin' is a broader category that can include single-pronged, U-shaped, or decorative pins.
It comes from 'bobbed hair', the short hairstyle of the 1920s, for which this type of pin was widely marketed.
Yes, in informal American English, particularly in crafting or makeshift repair contexts (e.g., 'to bobby-pin something together').
A small, flat, sprung metal hairpin with two prongs that close tightly together to hold hair in place.
Bobby pin is usually informal, everyday in register.
Bobby pin: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒb.i ˌpɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑː.bi ˌpɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To be as useful as a bobby pin in a hurricane (idiomatic for something useless in a particular situation)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Bob' + 'pin'. 'Bob' reminds you of 'bobbed hair' (short hair), which this pin was designed for.
Conceptual Metaphor
TOOL FOR HOLDING/CLASPING (mapped onto problem-solving contexts, e.g., 'using a bobby pin to fix a loose wire').
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most commonly used in British English for a 'bobby pin'?