body wave: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Specialised / Context-dependent. The hairstyling sense is mainstream in fashion/beauty contexts; the surfing sense is niche; the seismic sense is highly technical.
Quick answer
What does “body wave” mean?
A type of gentle, loose curl or wave in hair, typically created with a large-barrelled curling iron or chemical treatment, that mimics natural waves along the length of the hair.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of gentle, loose curl or wave in hair, typically created with a large-barrelled curling iron or chemical treatment, that mimics natural waves along the length of the hair.
1. In surfing/sport: A wave that can be ridden on a bodyboard (lying down) rather than a surfboard. 2. In physics/geology: A type of seismic wave (P-wave or S-wave) that travels through the interior of the Earth. 3. In dance: A fluid, sequential movement through the body that creates a wave-like visual effect.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In hairstyling, both use the term. American English may use 'body wave' more frequently in salon marketing. The surfing sense is more common in American English from Californian/Hawaiian surf culture.
Connotations
In UK hair contexts, might be seen as a specific, semi-technical salon term. In US, it's a more mainstream beauty term.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English due to larger surf/beauty media industries.
Grammar
How to Use “body wave” in a Sentence
[Subject] got a body wave.[Hair] has a gentle body wave.The stylist [verb: created/gave/added] a body wave.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “body wave” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The hairdresser will body-wave your hair for a more natural look.
- Her hair has been body-waved beautifully.
American English
- I'm going to body-wave my hair for more volume.
- She body-waved her client's hair in under an hour.
adverb
British English
- [Rarely used as an adverb] Her hair fell body-wavily over her shoulders.
American English
- [Rarely used as an adverb] Her hair curled body-wave-style.
adjective
British English
- She has a lovely body-wave hairstyle.
- The body-wave effect lasted for months.
American English
- She's got that perfect body-wave look.
- Ask for the body-wave treatment.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In the beauty/salon industry: 'We offer a premium body wave treatment for £120.'
Academic
In geophysics: 'Primary (P) body waves are compressional and travel fastest.'
Everyday
In personal care: 'I'm thinking of getting a body wave to add some volume.'
Technical
In seismology: 'S body waves shear rock perpendicular to their direction of travel.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “body wave”
- Using 'body wave' to mean any wave in hair (it specifies a loose, voluminous type).
- Confusing 'body wave' (hair) with 'bodycon' (a tight dress style).
- In seismology, confusing body waves with surface waves.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a type of perm, but specifically one that creates looser, more relaxed waves for volume and movement, rather than tight curls.
Yes, but the effect is most pronounced on medium to long hair, as the wave pattern needs length to develop.
They are often used interchangeably in hairstyling. 'Beach wave' emphasises a tousled, casual finish, while 'body wave' emphasises added volume and a consistent wave pattern.
Body waves themselves travel through the Earth's interior and are not directly dangerous. The damaging shocks are caused by surface waves that follow them.
A type of gentle, loose curl or wave in hair, typically created with a large-barrelled curling iron or chemical treatment, that mimics natural waves along the length of the hair.
Body wave is usually specialised / context-dependent. the hairstyling sense is mainstream in fashion/beauty contexts; the surfing sense is niche; the seismic sense is highly technical. in register.
Body wave: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒdi weɪv/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑːdi weɪv/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated with the term 'body wave'.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine your hair has the gentle, rolling motion of ocean waves (body of water) along its length (body of hair).
Conceptual Metaphor
HAIR IS WATER (flowing, wavy, fluid). THE EARTH IS A BODY (with interior waves).
Practice
Quiz
In which field would the term 'body wave' refer to a P-wave or S-wave?