barbershop

[ bahr-ber-shop ]

noun

1. alsocalledcomma especially British, barber's shop. the place of business of a barber.
2. the singing of four-part harmony in barbershop style or the music sung in this style.

adjective

1. specializing in the unaccompanied part-singing of popular songs in which four voices move in close, highly chromatic harmony:

   a barbershop quartet.

2. characteristic of such part-singing.

barbershop

/ ˈbɑːbəˌʃɒp /

noun

1. the premises of a barber
2. modifier denoting or characterized by a type of close four-part harmony for male voices, popular in romantic and sentimental songs of the 1920s and 1930s

   a barbershop quartet

Word History and Origins

Origin of barbershop¹

First recorded in 1570–80; barber + shop

Example Sentences

She’d just filmed her first professional job — playing Queen Latifah’s niece in “Barbershop 2,” a role she auditioned for at an open call in Chicago — and MGM invited her to the Hollywood premiere.

From Los Angeles Times

A CNN analysis of a segment in which Trump visited a Bronx barbershop with "Fox & Friends" host Lawrence Jones found that the network edited Trump’s responses to make the candidate seem more on-topic.

From Salon

A barbershop owner and former police officer, Mr Pauling said the Republican Party's views align more with his own religious values on gender and sexuality.

From BBC

Barbershop tales are woven into wisdom as a sparkling cast takes on the bestseller at the Pasadena Playhouse.

From Los Angeles Times

"It's a more intimate space, where the action is right up close and the audience can feel like they're in the barbershop and neighborhood," said Lippiello.

From Salon

Related Words

• beauty parlor
• beauty salon