coiffe: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal/Literary/Specialist (Hairstyling)
Quick answer
What does “coiffe” mean?
To style or arrange hair.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To style or arrange hair.
To dress or style the hair in an elaborate manner, typically for a special occasion; to provide a specific hairstyle, often with professional skill. Can also figuratively refer to the arrangement or styling of something in a deliberate, artful way.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is more likely to appear in UK English in descriptions of high fashion, period dramas, or literary contexts. In American English, it might appear in upscale beauty/fashion magazines or translations of French texts.
Connotations
Implies a sophisticated, often elaborate, French-influenced or professional styling. Can sound pretentious if used in casual conversation.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both varieties, but slightly higher recognition in UK due to proximity to French language and culture.
Grammar
How to Use “coiffe” in a Sentence
[Subject] + coiffe + [Object (hair/head/person)] + [Adjunct (manner)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coiffe” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The royal hairdresser coiffes the princess's hair into intricate braids for the state banquet.
- In the period drama, the actress is beautifully coiffed in an 18th-century style.
American English
- The celebrity stylist coiffes her client's hair for the red-carpet event.
- His silver hair was impeccably coiffed for the board meeting.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in a high-end salon's marketing copy or a fashion brand's description.
Academic
Used in historical, cultural, or fashion studies discussing grooming practices or portraiture.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would sound affected or humorous.
Technical
Specialist term in haute coiffure, wig-making, or theatrical costume design.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coiffe”
- Using it as a noun (the correct noun is 'coiffure' or 'hairstyle').
- Pronouncing it with an /f/ sound at the end (it's silent).
- Using it in informal contexts where 'do', 'style', or 'fix' would be more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare, formal term borrowed from French, used primarily in fashion, historical, or literary contexts.
The related noun is 'coiffure', which means a hairstyle, especially an elaborate one. 'Coiffe' itself is only a verb.
It is pronounced /kwɑːf/, rhyming with 'staff'. The final 'e' is silent.
Yes, though it's less common. It can be used for any elaborate or carefully styled hair, regardless of gender (e.g., 'His beard and hair were perfectly coiffed').
To style or arrange hair.
Coiffe is usually formal/literary/specialist (hairstyling) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To be perfectly coiffed and ready.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a French QUEEN (sounds like 'coiffe') sitting for a portrait, having her elaborate royal HAIR styled.
Conceptual Metaphor
HAIR IS A SCULPTURE (to be shaped and arranged).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the verb 'coiffe' be LEAST appropriate?