curling tongs: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Everyday, somewhat dated. More common in UK English; often called "curling iron" in modern US English.
Quick answer
What does “curling tongs” mean?
A heated, hinged device with two metal rods, used for curling hair.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A heated, hinged device with two metal rods, used for curling hair.
Any similar tool designed to create waves or curls in hair using heat and a clamping/rolling mechanism. The term can sometimes be used more broadly to refer to the activity or result of curling hair with such a tool.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'curling tongs' is the standard term. In American English, 'curling iron' is far more common, though 'curling tongs' may be understood, especially in older or more formal contexts.
Connotations
In the UK, it is a neutral, descriptive term. In the US, it may sound slightly old-fashioned or British.
Frequency
High frequency in UK everyday speech regarding hairstyling. Low-to-mid frequency in US, where 'curling iron' dominates.
Grammar
How to Use “curling tongs” in a Sentence
use + curling tongs + on + hair/nouncurl + hair + with + curling tongsbe burned by + curling tongsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “curling tongs” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She tonged her fringe to give it more volume.
American English
- She curled her hair with a curling iron.
adjective
British English
- The curling-tongs burn on her wrist was painful.
American English
- She suffered a curling-iron burn.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in the beauty/hairstyling product industry.
Academic
Very rare.
Everyday
Common in conversations about personal grooming, beauty routines, and hairstyling.
Technical
Used in hairdressing/cosmetology contexts with precise specifications (e.g., barrel diameter, heat settings).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “curling tongs”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “curling tongs”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “curling tongs”
- Using singular 'tongs' (incorrect: 'a curling tong'). Forgetting the 's' (incorrect: 'curling tong'). Confusing with 'tongs' for food.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is grammatically plural. You say 'The curling tongs are on the shelf,' not 'is on the shelf'. However, you refer to one device as 'a pair of curling tongs'.
Curling tongs have a clamp mechanism that holds the hair against a heated barrel. A curling wand is just a heated rod without a clamp, requiring you to wrap the hair around it manually.
They can be used on most hair types, but the temperature setting and technique must be adjusted. Fine hair requires lower heat to avoid damage, while coarse or thick hair may need higher heat to hold a curl.
Because the tool's basic mechanism—two hinged arms that come together to grip—is identical to other tongs (like sugar tongs or barbecue tongs), just miniaturised and heated for hair.
A heated, hinged device with two metal rods, used for curling hair.
Curling tongs is usually everyday, somewhat dated. more common in uk english; often called "curling iron" in modern us english. in register.
Curling tongs: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɜː.lɪŋ ˌtɒŋz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɝː.lɪŋ ˌtɑːŋz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the sound "TONG!" as the two hot metal arms of the tool clamp together on a strand of hair.
Conceptual Metaphor
TOOLS ARE EXTENSIONS OF THE BODY (the tongs become an extra hand for shaping hair). HEAT IS A SHAPING FORCE.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common American English term for 'curling tongs'?