hairbreadth — a very small distance or margin; an extremely narrow escape
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a very small distance or margin; an extremely narrow escape
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈherˌbredθ/
Example Sentences
- The student passed the exam by a hairbreadth - just 0.1 point above the passing grade!
- The cat avoided becoming a pancake by a hairbreadth when it darted across the busy street.
- Her hairbreadth victory in the election surprised everyone, including herself.
hairbreadth
NOUN[/ˈherˌbredθ/]
a very small distance or margin; an extremely narrow escape
a construction worker in a hard hat steps forward just as a massive steel beam crashes down behind him. The beam hits the ground exactly where he was standing just moments before. The worker looks back with wide eyes and relief, realizing how close he came to disaster. His coworker nearby points at the tiny gap between the worker and the fallen beam with shock. Other workers rush over to check if everyone is safe after the near-miss. a very small distance or margin in an extremely narrow escape
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Middle English, combining 'hair' (a single strand of hair) + 'breadth' (width or distance). The compound was created to describe the smallest possible measurement - the width of a single hair.
Breakdown
hair (single strand of hair) + breadth (width/distance) = extremely narrow margin or distance
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The student passed the exam by a hairbreadth - just 0.1 point above the passing grade!”
“The cat avoided becoming a pancake by a hairbreadth when it darted across the busy street.”
“Her hairbreadth victory in the election surprised everyone, including herself.”
“The arrow missed the bullseye by a hairbreadth, costing him the championship.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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