A hairstyle is the way someone's hair is cut, arranged, or worn. Your hairstyle might be short and spiky, long and straight, braided into cornrows, pulled back in a ponytail, or shaped into any number of other forms.

Hairstyles vary enormously across cultures and time periods. Ancient Egyptian pharaohs wore elaborate wigs and braids, while Roman men typically kept their hair short. During America's colonial period, wealthy men wore powdered wigs, but that fashion eventually disappeared. Today, you might see someone with a buzz cut, dreadlocks, a bob, a mohawk, or countless other styles.

People choose hairstyles for many reasons: comfort, tradition, personal expression, or practicality. An athlete might keep their hair short so it doesn't interfere with their sport. Someone else might grow their hair long because they love how it looks. Hairstyles can signal belonging to a particular group or culture, like the distinctive hairstyles of Hasidic Jews or the intricate braiding traditions found in many African cultures.

The word can also describe the overall look created by styling hair in a particular way for a special occasion. Someone might spend an hour creating an elaborate hairstyle for a wedding, even though their everyday hairstyle is much simpler. Barbers, hairdressers, and stylists are professionals who specialize in cutting and creating hairstyles.