Definition

1. Noun:
   • A dye or tint for the hair: A cosmetic product, typically a chemical preparation, used to change the color of a person's hair.

Usage

• The term "hair dye" is a compound noun. It refers to the product itself, not the action of using it (which is "dyeing hair").
• It is commonly used as a countable noun (e.g., , ) and can also be used in an uncountable sense to refer to the substance in general.
• It is typically modified by color (e.g., , ) or type (e.g., , ).

Examples

• Noun:
  • She bought a box of hair dye to cover her gray hairs.
  • Some hair dyes can cause allergic reactions, so it's important to do a patch test first.
  • The salon uses high-quality, ammonia-free hair dye.

Advanced Usage

• "to apply hair dye": This phrase describes the action of putting the dye onto the hair.
  • You should carefully follow the instructions when applying hair dye.
• "hair dye remover": A product used to strip artificial color from the hair.
  • After the color disaster, she had to use a strong hair dye remover.

Variants and Related Words

• Hair coloring (n): Often used synonymously with "hair dye," though it can sound slightly more formal or salon-oriented.
  • She specializes in professional hair coloring.
• Dye (n/v): The root word, meaning a substance used to color materials. As a verb, it means to apply such a substance.
  • The fabric was colored with a natural plant dye. (noun)
  • She decided to dye her hair red. (verb)
• Tint (n/v): Often implies a semi-permanent or subtle color change.
  • He used a light brown tint to add warmth to his hair. (noun)

Synonyms

• Hair color: A common synonym, especially in commercial contexts.
• Hair tint: Often used for semi-permanent or less dramatic color changes.

Related Phrases

• Root touch-up: The application of dye specifically to the regrowth of hair near the scalp.
  • It's time for my monthly root touch-up with my usual hair dye.
• Color treatment: A broader salon term that can include dyeing, highlighting, or toning.
  • My next appointment is for a deep conditioning color treatment.

Notes

• The verb form related to using hair dye is "to dye" (e.g., ). The noun "dye" becomes "dyeing" in its present participle/gerund form to distinguish it from "dying" (the act of ceasing to live).
• "Hair dye" is the standard term. The hyphenated form "hair-dye" is less common but may be seen in compound adjectives (e.g., ).

Noun

1. a dye or tint for the hair