Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having white or grey hair: Describes a person whose hair has turned white or grey, typically due to aging.
   • Favorite, specially favored: (Archaic or literary) Describes a person who is a favorite or is held in special favor by someone.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Having white/grey hair):

  • The white-haired gentleman told fascinating stories.
  • She became white-haired at a relatively young age.

• Adjective (Favorite):

  • He was the white-haired candidate for the promotion. (This usage is now rare or literary.)

Advanced Usage

• "Hoary" as a synonym: In literary contexts, "white-haired" is closely related to "hoary," which can describe white or grey hair from age, or something very old and venerable.
  • The hoary, white-haired sage offered his wisdom.

Variants and Related Words

• Fair-haired (adj): Literally having light-colored hair; figuratively meaning favorite or favored.
  • He is the fair-haired boy of the management team.
• Hoary-headed (adj): (Literary) Having grey or white hair due to old age.
  • The hoary-headed old man sat by the fire.

Synonyms

• Grey-haired: Having grey hair.
• Silver-haired: Having silvery-white hair (often used more positively).
• Grizzled: Having grey or partly grey hair.
• Venerable: Commanding respect because of great age or impressive dignity (can be associated with the appearance).

Antonyms

• Dark-haired: Having hair of a dark color.
• Youthful: Having the appearance or qualities of youth.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• The fair-haired boy: An idiom meaning a favorite or someone who is given special advantages.
  • In the office, he was always the manager's fair-haired boy.
• Hoary with age: A literary phrase describing something or someone very old.
  • The legends were hoary with age.

Adjective

1. favorite
   • the fair-haired boy of the literary set
2. showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair
   • whose beard with age is hoar-Coleridge
   • nodded his hoary head