barbershop
gb/bˈɑɹbɚʃˌɑp/ us/bˈɑɹbɚʃˌɑp/
A2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
shop where a barber cuts hair
a place where you get a haircut from a barber
Usage pattern:
go to the barbershop; at the barbershop
Common mistake:
Learners often write it as two words (barber shop). Both forms exist, but barbershop is common in modern US English.
Synonyms
barber shop (Common alternative spelling as two words.)
|
barber's (Informal shortening meaning a barbershop (e.g., 'I’m going to the barber’s').)
Collocations
go to the barbershop
|at the barbershop
|local barbershop
|neighborhood barbershop
|old-fashioned barbershop
|barbershop chair
|barbershop haircut
|barbershop prices
|open a barbershop
|work at a barbershop
Themes
daily_life
|services
|business
|appearance
Examples
- There’s a barbershop on the corner that does great fades.
- I stopped by the barbershop during my lunch break for a quick trim.
- The barbershop was crowded on Saturday morning.
Learner examples
- I go to the barbershop every month.
- He is at the barbershop now.
Noun
B2
abstract
2
style of close-harmony singing
a type of singing with four-part harmony, usually without instruments
Usage pattern:
[someone] sings barbershop; a barbershop group
Common mistake:
This meaning refers to a music style, not the place where you get a haircut.
Synonyms
close harmony (Broader term; not limited to the barbershop tradition.)
|
barbershop harmony (Nearly identical, explicitly naming the harmony style.)
Collocations
barbershop singing
|barbershop music
|barbershop harmony
|a barbershop quartet
|sing barbershop
|barbershop festival
|barbershop competition
|barbershop arrangement
|barbershop repertoire
|traditional barbershop
Themes
music
|performing_arts
|culture
Examples
- Her grandparents love barbershop and go to competitions every year.
- They performed a few barbershop numbers at the community concert.
- I didn’t realize barbershop was usually sung without instruments.
Learner examples
- They sing barbershop in a quartet.
adjective
B2
property
3
relating to barbershop harmony
connected to barbershop-style singing
Usage pattern:
barbershop + [music/quartet/harmony/song/arrangement]
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse barbershop (music-related) with barber (a person who cuts hair).
Synonyms
barbershop-style (Hyphenated form often used before a noun for clarity.)
Collocations
barbershop quartet
|barbershop harmony
|barbershop music
|barbershop song
|barbershop arrangement
|barbershop style
|barbershop group
|barbershop chorus
|barbershop repertoire
|barbershop tradition
Themes
music
|performing_arts
Examples
- They joined a barbershop chorus after moving to the city.
- The director chose a barbershop arrangement for the finale.
- She’s been practicing a barbershop part for weeks.
Learner examples
- He sings in a barbershop quartet.
Grammar
Dictionary form
barbershop
IPA
GB/bˈɑɹbɚʃˌɑp/
US/bˈɑɹbɚʃˌɑp/
Syllables & stress
barber - shop (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (barber)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: barbershop
- Comparative: barbershoper
- Superlative: barbershopest
Noun
- Base: barbershop
- Plural: barbershops
Word family
Forms
barbershops
noun
barbershoper
adjective
barbershopest
adjective
Related words
barbering
noun
hairdresser
noun A2
Expressions
barbershop harmony
1/bˈɑɹbɚʃˌɑp hˈɑɹməni/
fixed phrase
close four-part vocal harmony style
a special style of four-part harmony in barbershop singing
Examples
- Their sound is built on tight barbershop harmony and careful tuning.
- She arranged the song to highlight classic barbershop harmony.
- You can hear the barbershop harmony ‘ring’ when the chords lock in.
barbershop quartet
1/bˈɑɹbɚʃˌɑp kwɔɹtˈɛt/
fixed phrase
four singers in barbershop style
a group of four people who sing barbershop harmony
Examples
- A barbershop quartet sang at their wedding reception.
- He used to perform in a barbershop quartet in college.
- The festival featured dozens of barbershop quartets from around the country.