Hairline — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈher-ˈlīn/ hair·line

Meaning & Definition of Hairline

Hairline (noun)

  1. a very slender line
  2. a tiny line or crack on a surface
  3. a fine line connecting thicker strokes in a printed letter

Hairline (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being of less than usual width

    "a hairline crack in the mug, almost too small to notice, was enough to make the mug break when filled with hot tea"

    similar: fine, narrow, needlelike, paper-thin, skinny, slender, slim, slim-jim, thin, ultrathin
    related: attenuate, attenuated, elongate, linear, bottleneck, close, compressed, condensed, constricted, contracted, squeezed, tight, tightened, lanky, rangy, reedy, shoestring, spindly, stalky, stringy, twiggy, willowy, wispy, lank, spare
    opposite: broad, fat, wide
    near: chunky, squat, stocky, stumpy, thick, thickset, bulky, massive, voluminous, thickish, widish

  2. made or done with extreme care and accuracy

    "a hairline distinction between her rating of certain things as necessary and others as absolutely necessary"

    similar: delicate, exact, fine, finespun, hairsplitting, minute, nice, nuanced, refined, subtle
    related: nitpicking, quibbling, frivolous, inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, negligible, petty, piddling, trifling, trivial, demanding, exacting, fastidious, finical, finicking, finicky, fussy, meticulous, particular, picky
    opposite: coarse, inexact, rough
    near: apparent, clear, clear-cut, evident, manifest, obvious, open-and-shut, palpable, patent, perspicuous, plain, transparent, unambiguous, unequivocal, unmistakable, broad, indefinite, careless, heedless, incautious, slapdash, slipshod, sloppy

  3. meeting the highest standard of accuracy

    "an ultrasensitive telescope that requires hairline placement of the lenses"

    similar: accurate, close, delicate, exact, fine, mathematical, pinpoint, precise, refined, rigorous, spot-on
    related: correct, right, strict, true, definite, definitive, nice, subtle, careful, fastidious, finical, finicky, meticulous
    opposite: coarse, imprecise, inaccurate, inexact, rough
    near: approximate, round, false, incorrect, untrue, wrong, careless, loose, indefinite, unclear, vague, doubtful, dubious, questionable, unreliable, untrustworthy

Hairline (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a very small distance or degree

    "the controversial measure passed by a hairline, the margin of victory being but a single vote"

    similar: ace, hair, hairbreadth, hop, skip, and jump, inch, neck, shouting distance, step, stone's throw
    related: bit, crumb, dab, iota, jot, minim, mite, particle, smidgen, trace, trifle
    opposite: country mile, long haul, mile
    near: infinity, light-year

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Hairline

The most common words with a similar meaning to Hairline:

fine, narrow, needlelike, paper-thin, skinny, slender, slim, slim-jim, thin, ultrathin, delicate, exact, finespun, hairsplitting, minute, nice, nuanced, refined, subtle, accurate, close, mathematical, pinpoint, precise, rigorous, spot-on, ace, hair, hairbreadth, hop, skip, and jump, inch, neck, shouting distance, step, stone's throw

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Hairline

Words with the opposite meaning of Hairline:

broad, fat, wide, coarse, inexact, rough, imprecise, inaccurate, country mile, long haul, mile

Related Words for Hairline

attenuate, attenuated, elongate, linear, bottleneck, compressed, condensed, constricted, contracted, squeezed, tight, tightened, lanky, rangy, reedy, shoestring, spindly, stalky, stringy, twiggy, willowy, wispy, lank, spare, nitpicking, quibbling, frivolous, inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant

Near Antonyms of Hairline

chunky, squat, stocky, stumpy, thick, thickset, bulky, massive, voluminous, thickish, widish, apparent, clear, clear-cut, evident, manifest, obvious, open-and-shut, palpable, patent, perspicuous, plain, transparent, unambiguous, unequivocal, unmistakable, indefinite, careless, heedless, incautious

Word Forms of Hairline

Derived words: hairline (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Hairline

First known use: 1846

Frequently Asked Questions about Hairline

What does "Hairline" mean?

"Hairline" means a very slender line. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: a very slender line. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Hairline"?

Other words for "Hairline" include fine, narrow, needlelike, paper-thin, skinny, slender, slim and slim-jim. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Hairline" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Hairline"?

There are 98 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Hairline". Common alternatives include fine, narrow, needlelike, paper-thin, skinny, slender, slim, slim-jim, thin and ultrathin.

What is the opposite of "Hairline"?

Antonyms of "Hairline" include broad, fat, wide, coarse, inexact, rough, imprecise and inaccurate. Near antonyms include chunky, squat, stocky and stumpy.

How do you use "Hairline" in a sentence?

Examples of "Hairline" in a sentence: "a hairline crack in the mug, almost too small to notice, was enough to make the mug break when filled with hot tea"; "a hairline distinction between her rating of certain things as necessary and others as absolutely necessary"; "an ultrasensitive telescope that requires hairline placement of the lenses".

Is "Hairline" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Hairline" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Hairline"?

"Hairline" is pronounced /ˈher-ˈlīn/ and divided into syllables as hair·line.

What is the origin of the word "Hairline"?

First known use: 1846.