crepe hair: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Theatrical
Quick answer
What does “crepe hair” mean?
A type of artificial hair, typically made from fine wool or synthetic fibers, that is matted and compressed into long, thin sheets. It is used in theatrical makeup, costume design, and crafts for creating fake beards, moustaches, sideburns, and wigs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of artificial hair, typically made from fine wool or synthetic fibers, that is matted and compressed into long, thin sheets. It is used in theatrical makeup, costume design, and crafts for creating fake beards, moustaches, sideburns, and wigs.
The material used for the purpose of theatrical or costume hairpieces. The term can also refer by metonymy to the resulting artificial hairpiece itself.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling of the first element: UK 'crepe' (more common) vs US 'crepe' or 'crape'. The concept and term are identical in both varieties, understood by professionals in theatre and film.
Connotations
None beyond its technical domain. It carries no additional cultural or social connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Usage is almost exclusively confined to the professional domains of theatre, film, costume design, and special effects makeup. No significant difference in frequency between UK and US English within those domains.
Grammar
How to Use “crepe hair” in a Sentence
apply/stick ~ to somethingcomb/style ~cut ~ from a sheettease ~ (to make it fluffy)colour/dye ~Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crepe hair” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The crepe-hair beard looked surprisingly realistic under the stage lights.
American English
- She needed a crepe-hair mustache for her vaudeville act.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare, only in texts on theatre history, costume design, or special effects.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Unknown to the average speaker.
Technical
The primary context. Standard term in professional theatre, film, television, and cosplay makeup tutorials and supply catalogues.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crepe hair”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crepe hair”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crepe hair”
- Treating it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a crepe hair'). It is uncountable.
- Pronouncing 'crepe' as /krep/ like the pancake; the standard pronunciation here is /kreɪp/.
- Confusing it with real hair extensions or wigs.
- Spelling it as 'crape hair' (archaic/less common).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Crepe hair is a raw material sold in sheets or braids, used to construct hairpieces like beards or small additions. A wig is a pre-constructed, complete head covering.
It is generally not designed for repeated reuse like a high-quality wig. It can be delicate, and the adhesive used (spirit gum) can matt it. It is often considered a single-use or limited-use item for a specific production.
Because of its texture. The fibres are matted and crinkled during production, giving it a rough, slightly wavy texture reminiscent of crepe paper or fabric, which helps it blend and look more natural when applied.
The hair itself is usually inert, but it must be applied with a specialist adhesive like spirit gum, which can cause skin irritation for some. A skin test is recommended before full application.
A type of artificial hair, typically made from fine wool or synthetic fibers, that is matted and compressed into long, thin sheets. It is used in theatrical makeup, costume design, and crafts for creating fake beards, moustaches, sideburns, and wigs.
Crepe hair is usually technical/theatrical in register.
Crepe hair: in British English it is pronounced /kreɪp hɛə/, and in American English it is pronounced /kreɪp hɛr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the thin, crêpe-like sheet of matted hair used to create a fake beard for a CREEPy character.
Conceptual Metaphor
MATERIAL FOR CONSTRUCTION (It is treated as a raw material to be cut, shaped, and applied to build a new feature).
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you most likely to encounter the term 'crepe hair'?