Synonyms

bobby pin

American

noun

a flat, springlike metal hairpin having the prongs held close together by tension.

bobby pin British

noun

Brit terms: hairgrip. kirby grip. a metal hairpin bent in order to hold the hair in place

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bobby pin

1935–40, perhaps Bobby (proper name), by association with bobbed hair ( bob ² ), in which such pins are used

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He was too tall, even when she dutifully let him lean down to kiss her once, returning the favor as she began removing the bobby pins one by one from her hair.

From Literature

Each morning I’d get up, unfasten the bobby pins that held my pin curls in place, and get dressed.

From Literature

She found a lot of rusty bobby pins, empty paper cups, and dust bunnies.

From Literature

The bathroom is stocked with Listerine, Lubriderm lotion and bobby pins; the fridges teem with Red Bull, baby carrots and a wide selection of juices.

From New York Times

“It’s hard to believe there’s bobby pins, a cap and a full head of her own hair under the wig,” McDonald said as he pointed to a photograph of LuPone wearing it.

From New York Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023