Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

hairpin

/ˈhɛɚ.pɪn/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.78 in modern English

Syllables: hair-pin
IPA: /ˈhɛɚ.pɪn/

12

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A pin or fastener for the hair.

noun

A kind of ribozyme; hairpin ribozyme.

noun

A very tight bend in a road; a hairpin bend.

noun

An elongated horizontal v-shaped sign placed underneath a staff to indicate a crescendo or decrescendo.

Example Sentences

"The variety of angles in the course, from slow bends to hairpins, will both test your skill as a driver and allow you the opportunity to pass other carts."

Etymology

From hair + pin, 1788 (as hair pin). Adjective sense 1906 in hairpin turn etc.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈhɛɚ.pɪn/
British English: /ˈhɛə.pɪn/

Inflected Forms

hairpins (plural) hair pin (alternative) hair-pin (alternative)

Derived Forms

hairpinned

Phrases

hairpin bend hairpin curve hairpin transfer hairpin turn Sherman's hairpin hair bun

Frequently Paired Words

hair bun hairbun barrette dogleg switchback hair stick hairnet

Questions

How do you pronounce hairpin?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈhɛɚ.pɪn/.
What does hairpin mean?: A pin or fastener for the hair.
Where does hairpin come from?: From hair + pin, 1788 (as hair pin). Adjective sense 1906 in hairpin turn etc.

How to pronounce hairpin

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “hairpin”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈhɛɚ.pɪn/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “hairpin”.
Repeat and practice — Say “hairpin” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.