backcomb
|back-comb|
🇺🇸
/ˈbækˌkoʊm/
🇬🇧
/ˈbækˌkəʊm/
comb hair toward the scalp to create volume
Etymology
'backcomb' originates as an English compound of 'back' + 'comb'; 'back' (Old English 'bæc') meant 'rear' or 'toward the rear', and 'comb' (Old English 'camb') meant 'comb (a hair tool)'.
The idea formed by combining the words 'back' and 'comb' produced the compound 'back-comb' in Modern English; over time the hyphen was dropped and it became the single word 'backcomb'.
Originally a literal compound meaning 'comb toward the back', it specialized in modern usage to mean 'comb hair toward the scalp to tangle it for volume' (i.e., teasing).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an instance or section of hair that has been backcombed; the action or result of backcombing.
The backcomb at the crown gave her hairstyle extra lift.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Verb 1
to comb hair toward the scalp so the strands tangle and create volume (often called teasing).
She likes to backcomb the hair at the crown to give it more volume.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/25 20:12