black-head
Definition
- Noun:
- A type of skin blemish: "blackhead" refers to a small, dark-colored plug of sebum (oil) and dead skin cells that blocks a pore on the skin, typically on the face, neck, or back. The dark color is caused by oxidation when the plug is exposed to air.
- A bird species: "blackhead" is also a common name for certain birds with a black head, such as the black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus).
Usage Examples
Noun (skin blemish):
- She used a special cleanser to remove the blackhead on her nose. (A small, dark plug of oil in a pore.)
- Blackheads are more common in teenagers due to hormonal changes. (Facial blemishes caused by blocked pores.)
Noun (bird):
- The blackhead perched on the fence near the pond. (A bird with a black head, like a black-headed gull.)
Advanced Usage
"to have a blackhead": to have a visible, small dark spot on the skin.
- He noticed a blackhead on his chin before the party. (He saw a small, dark blemish on his skin.)
"blackhead extractor": a tool used to remove blackheads from the skin.
- The dermatologist used a blackhead extractor to clean the patient's pores. (A specialized instrument for removing blackheads.)
Variants and Related Words
Blackhead-free (adj): describing skin or a product that prevents or removes blackheads.
- This cleanser claims to keep your skin blackhead-free. (It prevents blackheads from forming.)
Blackhead-prone (adj): describing skin that is likely to develop blackheads.
- Her blackhead-prone skin requires regular exfoliation. (Her skin easily gets blackheads.)
Synonyms
Comedo (medical term): a technical term for a blackhead (plural: comedones).
- A comedo is the primary lesion in acne. (A blackhead is a type of comedo.)
Open comedone: a medical synonym for a blackhead, emphasizing the pore is open to the air.
- Open comedones are often seen on oily skin. (Blackheads with an open pore.)
Related Idioms
- (None common) Blackhead is a specific dermatological term and does not appear in common English idioms.