longhair: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Informal, somewhat dated
Quick answer
What does “longhair” mean?
A person, typically a man, with long hair, often associated with intellectual, artistic, or non-conformist lifestyles.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person, typically a man, with long hair, often associated with intellectual, artistic, or non-conformist lifestyles.
1. Relating to or characteristic of intellectuals, artists, or classical music enthusiasts. 2. In cat breeds, a long-haired cat.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar, though the 'countercultural' sense is slightly more entrenched in American English due to the 1960s hippie movement. The term for a long-haired cat is standard in both.
Connotations
Similar connotative range: can be descriptive, slightly pejorative, or affectionate depending on context.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, largely historical for the 'person' sense. The 'cat' sense is standard in specific domains (pet breeding).
Grammar
How to Use “longhair” in a Sentence
[be/become] a longhair[derogatory/affectionate] term for a longhairbreed of longhairVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “longhair” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He has rather longhair tastes in music.
- It's a longhair breed of cat.
American English
- That's pretty longhair stuff for a mainstream festival.
- We adopted a longhair kitten from the shelter.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rarely used, except in historical/cultural studies discussing 20th-century counterculture.
Everyday
Rare; may be used humorously or pejoratively to describe someone perceived as overly intellectual or artsy.
Technical
Standard term in feline breeding and shows for cats with long fur (e.g., 'a Persian is a type of longhair').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “longhair”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “longhair”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “longhair”
- Using it as a simple synonym for 'hippie' (it's broader).
- Confusing the noun 'a longhair' with the adjective phrase 'long hair'.
- Using in formal contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends entirely on context and tone. It can be a playful or affectionate jab at someone's intellectual interests, or a dismissive term implying they are out of touch or pretentious.
'A person with long hair' is a purely physical description. 'A longhair' is a cultural label implying associated interests in classical music, arts, or non-conformist ideology.
It is possible but less common. Historically, the term was more applied to men, as long hair on women was the norm. It would specifically highlight a woman's intellectual/artistic leanings.
It is commonly found both as one word ('longhair') and hyphenated ('long-hair'), especially for the cat sense. Dictionaries vary, but the one-word form is increasingly standard.
A person, typically a man, with long hair, often associated with intellectual, artistic, or non-conformist lifestyles.
Longhair is usually informal, somewhat dated in register.
Longhair: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɒŋ.heə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɔːŋ.her/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's gone all longhair on us since he started university.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a very LONG HAIR on a professor's head who only listens to LONG, complex symphonies.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTELLECTUAL/ARTISTIC INTEREST IS PHYSICAL LENGTH (of hair).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'longhair' most likely to be used neutrally today?