coiffure

noun

coif·​fure kwä-ˈfyu̇r 

: a style or manner of arranging the hair

I love his eerily perfect coiffure and his … impish smile …

—Scott Raab

Did you know?

Coiffure, which is a somewhat fancy way of saying "hairdo," has its roots in the French verb coiffer, which can mean "to arrange (hair)" or "to cover with a coif (any of various close-fitting caps, such as that worn under a veil by a nun)." Be careful not to confuse it with coiffeur, which refers to a person who works as a hairdresser. You may also encounter coif used as a noun to mean "hairstyle" and as a verb in the sense of "to arrange by brushing, combing, or curling" (as in "he had perfectly coifed hair"). In these cases, coif is operating as a shortened form of coiffure.

Synonyms

• cut
• do
• haircut
• hairdo
• hairstyle

Examples of coiffure in a Sentence

with his flashy suit and carefully sculpted coiffure, he looks like a slick car dealer

Recent Examples on the Web

The coiffure featured Sweeney’s blonde mane pulled back in a loose knot, decorated with a pearl accessory from Jennifer Behr. —Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 9 Sep. 2024

Still, kudos to the hair team for his three vivid coiffures: an insipid swoop, an aggressive buzz cut and a monkish raze. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2024

The character Zara Khan in 'Archer' | Credit: FX Sadly for Sterling, his new coworker doesn't fall for his alleged charm — or Mad Men-era coiffure. —Clark Collis, EW.com, 30 Aug. 2023

Look to see evidence of the imagination made real through human hands everywhere: in the land that is cleared; in the architecture that endures; in the quilts and elegant coiffures, the pressed and stitched shirts, the felted cowboy hats. —Imani Perry, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, going back to Middle French, "head covering, adornment of the hair," from coiffer "to cover with a coif, arrange (hair)" (going back to Old French coiffer, coifer, derivative of coife coif entry 1) + -ure -ure

First Known Use

circa 1631, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

coiffure

noun

coif·​fure kwä-ˈfyu̇(ə)r 

: a style or manner of arranging the hair