crew cut

noun

1. a haircut in which the hair is very closely cropped, with some extra length on top. Compare buzzcut ( def ).

crew cut

noun

1. a closely cropped haircut for men, originating in the US

Other Words From

• crew-cut crew·cut adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of crew cut¹

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45

Word History and Origins

Origin of crew cut¹

C20: from the style of haircut worn by the boat crews at Harvard and Yale Universities

Idioms and Phrases

A closely cropped haircut, usually for a male, as in The boys all think crew cuts are cooler in summer . This term presumably originated in the navy ( crew referring to a ship's crew), where such a haircut was mandatory. [c. 1940]

Example Sentences

The JetBlue crew cut short the planned flight to Florida and landed at Denver International Airport.

From Seattle Times

Remove the slipcase to take off Ender’s suit to reveal his crew cut and him dressed in standard blue military garb.

From Washington Times

An Omaha Fire Department crew cut the grate to free him, Assistant Fire Chief Jason Bradley told the newspaper.

From Seattle Times

Mr. Yevtushenko is an imposing figure with a long gray beard, crew cut and pistol strapped to his hip.

From New York Times

Roy Cortez arrived at the West Hollywood Pride festival last weekend in full Sunday best: a plaid miniskirt that showed off a bit of underbutt and a bleached crew cut with intricately dyed designs.

From Los Angeles Times