Hair vs. Hairs – Which is Correct?

The distinction between hair and hairs lies in their countability: hair is typically a non-count (mass) noun referring to the collective growth on a head or body, while hairs is the plural count noun used for individual strands. Both are grammatically correct, depending on whether you’re referring to the whole or its parts.

Hair or Hairs – Which is Correct?

Both “hair” and “hairs” are correct, but they are used in different contexts based on whether you are referring to the collective mass of hair or individual strands. “Hair” is most commonly used as a non-count noun to describe the entire growth on a person’s head or body, or a type of animal covering. For example, “She has beautiful long hair.” In contrast, “hairs” is the plural form used when counting or referring to specific, individual strands. For instance, “I found three hairs on my jacket.” The key is to determine if you’re discussing the general substance or discrete units.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Hair	Noun (non-count)	The collective mass of fibrous strands growing on the head or body of humans and animals.	Her long, blonde hair cascaded down her back.
Hairs	Noun (count, plural)	Individual strands of hair.	I noticed a few stray hairs on his sweater.

How to Use Hair

“Hair” is predominantly used as a non-count (or mass) noun, referring to the entire growth of fibrous strands on a person’s head or body, or the fur/covering of an animal. When used in this way, it does not take a plural form, and typically uses singular verbs. It implies a general quantity rather than specific units. This usage is common in descriptions of appearance, texture, or color. The tone is neutral and descriptive.

Example 1: She decided to dye her hair a vibrant shade of blue for the summer.

Example 2: The cat shed a lot of hair on the furniture during the warmer months.

Example 3: He ran his fingers through his thick, dark hair, deep in thought.

What are the different forms of Hair?

As a non-count noun, “hair” does not typically have different plural forms in the sense of “one hair, two hairs” when referring to the collective mass. However, it can be used as an adjective (e.g., a hair brush, hair spray) or in compound nouns (e.g., haircut, hairline). When referring to individual strands, the plural form “hairs” is used. The verb agreement with “hair” (as a non-count noun) is always singular, e.g., “Her hair is beautiful.”

Etymology of the word Hair

The word “hair” originates from the Old English word hær, which itself comes from the Proto-Germanic *hēran. It has cognates in other Germanic languages, such as Old Norse hár and German Haar. The root refers to the fibrous growth on the skin of mammals, and its meaning has remained consistent throughout its linguistic evolution.

How to Use Hairs

“Hairs” is the plural form of “hair” and is used as a count noun when referring to individual, distinct strands. This usage is appropriate when you are able to count the strands, or when emphasizing their separateness. It’s often used when discussing specific observations, cleanliness, or the presence of unwanted strands. The tone can range from neutral to slightly more specific or concerned, depending on the context.

Example 1: The forensic team collected several hairs from the crime scene as evidence.

Example 2: I found two short, curly hairs in my soup, which was quite unappetizing.

Example 3: The artist meticulously painted each of the tiny hairs on the animal’s fur.

What are the different forms of Hairs?

“Hairs” is already the plural form of the count noun “hair.” As a plural noun, it takes plural verb forms (e.g., “The hairs were long”). There are no other common grammatical forms for “hairs” itself beyond its singular counterpart “hair” (when used as a count noun for a single strand, e.g., “a single hair”).

Etymology of the word Hairs

As the plural form of “hair,” “hairs” shares the same etymological roots. It derives from the Old English hær, stemming from the Proto-Germanic *hēran. The pluralization follows standard English grammatical rules, adding an ‘-s’ to the singular noun when referring to multiple countable units.

Related Concepts

Understanding the difference between “hair” and “hairs” is fundamentally about grasping the concept of count nouns versus non-count (or mass) nouns. Count nouns refer to items that can be counted individually (e.g., one apple, two apples). Non-count nouns refer to things that cannot be counted individually and are treated as a collective mass or abstract concept (e.g., water, information, furniture). “Hair” functions as both: as a non-count noun for the general substance, and as a count noun (with its plural “hairs”) for individual strands. Many English words exhibit this dual nature, making context crucial for correct usage.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “Her hair was long and black and shiny, like a raven’s wing.” – From Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (describing collective hair).
• “He found several blonde hairs on the pillow, none of them his own.” – A common trope in detective novels (referring to individual strands).
• “The old man’s beard was thin, with a few wispy grey hairs clinging to his chin.” – Describing specific, countable strands.
• “Even a wolf’s mane of hair seemed to soften in the golden light.” – From The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (referring to the collective fur).
• “She nervously tucked a stray hair behind her ear, a habit she’d had since childhood.” – Referring to a single strand of hair.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The barber cut his client’s ______ very neatly.
2. I pulled a long, dark ______ from my brush this morning.
3. There were tiny animal ______ all over the blanket.
4. She wished her ______ was naturally curly instead of straight.
5. The child proudly showed off the few grey ______ he found on his grandfather’s head.

Answer Key

1. hair
2. hair
3. hairs
4. hair
5. hairs

Hair Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Mane	Long, thick hair, especially on the head or neck of certain animals (e.g., lion’s mane).
Tresses	Long locks or braids of hair (often used poetically).
Locks	Strands or curls of hair.
Fleece	The woolly covering of a sheep or similar animal.
Fur	The short, fine, soft hair of certain animals.

Hairs Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Strands	Single, thin lengths of hair.
Filaments	Slender thread-like objects, often used for individual hairs in scientific or technical contexts.
Fibers	Thin, thread-like structures, applicable to individual hairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can “hair” ever be used as a count noun?
Yes, “hair” can be used as a count noun when referring to a single strand. For example, “There was a single hair on my plate.” In this context, its plural is “hairs.” This is less common than its non-count usage but grammatically correct.

Question 2: Why do some people say “my hairs are falling out” instead of “my hair is falling out”?
When someone says “my hairs are falling out,” they are emphasizing the individual strands that are detaching. It’s grammatically correct if they are focusing on the countable units. However, “my hair is falling out” is more common when referring to general hair loss, treating “hair” as a collective mass.

Question 3: Is there a difference between “hair” and “fur”?
While both refer to the fibrous growth on mammals, “hair” typically refers to human hair, or the longer, coarser growth on animals (like a horse’s mane). “Fur” generally refers to the dense, soft, shorter covering of animals, especially those that are wild or domesticated for their pelts. Essentially, all fur is hair, but not all hair is fur.

Conclusion

The distinction between “hair” and “hairs” is a classic example of English’s nuanced approach to countability. “Hair” generally functions as a non-count noun, referring to the collective mass on one’s head or body, while “hairs” is the plural count noun used for individual strands. Understanding this difference is crucial for precise communication. Misusing them can lead to awkward phrasing or misinterpretation, although the meaning is usually inferable. A good pro tip for professional writing is to always consider whether you are discussing the general substance or specific, countable units, ensuring your noun choice aligns with your intended meaning to maintain clarity and credibility.