skinhead: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
moderateinformal
Quick answer
What does “skinhead” mean?
A person with closely cropped or shaven hair, often associated with a subculture that emerged in the UK in the 1960s.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person with closely cropped or shaven hair, often associated with a subculture that emerged in the UK in the 1960s.
Refers to the subculture itself, characterized by specific fashion, music preferences, and sometimes political ideologies, or more broadly to any person with a shaved head in certain contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Originated in the UK, where it is more commonly used and can have neutral or negative connotations depending on context. In the US, it often specifically denotes neo-Nazi or white supremacist groups.
Connotations
In British English, may refer broadly to the subculture or appearance; in American English, typically carries strong negative associations with extremism.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English due to cultural origins, but understood in US English, especially in discussions of subcultures or politics.
Grammar
How to Use “skinhead” in a Sentence
be a skinheadidentify as a skinheadskinhead subculturea skinhead from [place]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “skinhead” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He decided to skinhead his hair for the football season.
American English
- He went to the barber to skinhead his head for a new look.
adjective
British English
- He adopted a skinhead style after moving to London.
American English
- She rocked a skinhead look at the punk concert.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; occasionally in fashion or retail contexts referring to styles or trends.
Academic
Employed in sociology, cultural studies, and history to analyze subcultures, identity, and social movements.
Everyday
Common in informal discussions about appearance or subcultures; can be pejorative or descriptive.
Technical
Used in anthropological or musicological research on youth cultures and subcultural dynamics.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skinhead”
- Using 'skinhead' to describe any bald person without considering cultural associations.
- Assuming all skinheads are racist, ignoring the diversity within the subculture.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The skinhead subculture originated in the United Kingdom in the late 1960s among working-class youth.
No, not all skinheads are racist. The original skinhead culture was non-racist and integrated with Jamaican influences, though some groups later adopted racist ideologies.
In British English, 'skinhead' can refer broadly to the subculture or appearance, while in American English, it often specifically connotes neo-Nazi or white supremacist associations.
It is generally informal; in formal contexts like academic papers, it is used with precise definitions to discuss subcultures, but may require contextual clarification due to its loaded connotations.
A person with closely cropped or shaven hair, often associated with a subculture that emerged in the UK in the 1960s.
Skinhead: in British English it is pronounced /ˈskɪnhɛd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈskɪnˌhɛd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “skinhead gang”
- “skinhead look”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'skin' showing on the 'head' due to shaved or very short hair, linking to the subculture's distinctive look.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often metaphorized as a symbol of rebellion, aggression, or social marginalization.
Practice
Quiz
What is a key historical fact about skinheads?