big-haired
UK[ˌbɪɡ ˈheəd]US[ˌbɪɡ ˈherd]
adj
Having a lot of hair, especially hair that is styled in a large, voluminous, or elaborate way.
adj
(informal, often derogatory) Characteristic of a showy, frivolous, or superficial person, especially in the entertainment industry.
Morpheme Breakdown
big
hair
ed
big
large
hair
hair
ed
adjective suffix
Etymology
The compound adjective "big-haired" is a modern English formation following a classic Germanic pattern of combining two native words with a derivational suffix. The first element, "big," traces back to Middle English with a core meaning of "large in size." The second element, "hair," has ancient Germanic roots, ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European base meaning "bristle." The suffix "-ed" is used to convert the noun phrase "big hair" into an adjective, literally meaning "characterized by big hair." Originally a straightforward descriptive term from the mid-20th century, its association with certain flamboyant fashion and music styles led to a secondary, figurative meaning implying ostentatious or insubstantial style over substance.
Analysis
Structure: big (large) + hair (hair) + ed (adjective suffix)
- big: From Middle English bigge, of uncertain origin, possibly from a Scandinavian source. Functional role: Adjective root, modifying the noun.
- hair: From Middle English her, from Old English hǣr, from Proto-Germanic \hērą. Functional role: Noun root, the object being described.
- ed: From Old English -ede, -od, -ad, forming adjectives from nouns. Functional role: Suffix, forming a compound adjective meaning "having or characterized by (the noun)."
Examples
In the 1980s, big-haired rock bands dominated the music videos on MTV.
She walked into the room with a big-haired look that turned every head.
The film is a satire on the big-haired, materialistic culture of the decade.