hairpin
C1Formal, Technical
Definition
Meaning
A thin, U-shaped piece of wire or plastic used to hold hair in place.
A bend in a road that is sharply curved back on itself, resembling the shape of a hairpin; metaphorically, anything sharply curved or bent.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary meaning relates to a physical object for hair. The secondary, figurative meaning is most common in describing geography (roads, rivers) and in molecular biology (e.g., 'hairpin loop' in RNA).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use both meanings identically. 'Hairpin bend' is the standard UK term; US English often uses 'hairpin curve' or 'hairpin turn'.
Connotations
Neutral for the hair accessory. For roads, it connotes danger, difficulty, or a steep, winding route.
Frequency
The hair accessory meaning is less frequent in everyday speech than 'bobby pin' or 'grip'. The road term is common in travel, driving, and topographic contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
drive/take a [hairpin bend]secure hair with a [hairpin]form a [hairpin loop]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hairpin trigger (a very quick temper)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. May appear metaphorically: 'The company executed a hairpin turn in its strategy.'
Academic
Common in molecular biology ('hairpin loop') and geography/engineering ('hairpin bend').
Everyday
Primarily for hair accessory or describing a very sharp bend in a road while driving.
Technical
Specific term in road design, motorsport, and biochemistry.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The RNA strand hairpins back on itself.
- The rally car hairpinned around the tight bend.
American English
- The road hairpins up the mountain.
- The molecule hairpins to form a stable structure.
adverb
British English
- The road turned hairpin left.
American English
- The trail goes hairpin right just ahead.
adjective
British English
- The driver misjudged the hairpin corner.
- It was a classic hairpin bend.
American English
- We faced a hairpin curve on the highway.
- She has a hairpin trigger temper.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She used a hairpin to keep her bun in place.
- The road has a very sharp bend.
- I always lose my hairpins.
- Be careful on the next hairpin bend; it's very dangerous.
- The mountain pass is famous for its succession of treacherous hairpin turns.
- In the lab, we studied the formation of a hairpin loop in the RNA sequence.
- The film's plot took a hairpin turn in the third act, completely surprising the audience.
- The driver expertly navigated the series of hairpins, maintaining perfect racing line.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PIN for your HAIR bent into a sharp U-shape. This shape is also seen in a sharp U-turn on a mountain road.
Conceptual Metaphor
SHARPNESS IS DANGER/DIFFICULTY (hairpin bend), CONSTRAINT IS A PHYSICAL HOLD (hairpin in hair).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'hairpin bend' literally as '*шпилька для волос поворот*'. Use 'крутой поворот' or 'серпантин'.
- Do not confuse 'hairpin' (шпилька) with 'hairgrip' (заколка-невидимка), though they are related.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'hairpin' to describe any bend, not just an extremely sharp one (approx. 180°).
- Confusing 'hairpin' (the U-shaped wire) with 'hair clip' (a larger, clasping device).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'hairpin loop' a technical term?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A hairpin is typically a single, U-shaped wire. A bobby pin is a double-pronged clip with a wavy side for grip, often used for finer control.
Yes, though it's specialist. It means to form a sharp turn or to fold back on itself, used in driving ('the road hairpins') and biochemistry ('the strand hairpins').
'Hairpin turn' and 'hairpin curve' are more common in American English, while 'hairpin bend' is standard in British English. All are understood globally.
A hairpin bend is one that turns back on itself with a very small turning radius, essentially reversing direction, often found on steep mountainsides.