hair-trigger

1 of 2

adjective

hair-trig·​ger ˈher-ˌtri-gər 

1

: immediately responsive to the slightest stimulus

a hair-trigger temper

2

: delicately adjusted or easily disrupted

hair trigger

2 of 2

noun

: a gun trigger so adjusted as to permit the firearm to be fired by a very slight pressure

Examples of hair-trigger in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The news arrives after the recent release of the blockbuster Michael biopic, which portrayed Jackson as a father with an iron fist and hair-trigger temper who used physical punishment to push his sons to stardom. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2026

Cramped passengers are ruled not by bonhomie but by hair-trigger aggression, while flight crews seek compliance rather than kinship. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026

Noun

They are unfortunately waylaid first by Chase, then by Taylor’s own hair trigger. — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Today, nine nations possess nuclear arsenals, comprising more than 12,000 warheads in total, including many that are set on a virtual hair trigger. — Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1802, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hair-trigger

• obligor
• outrigger
• bigger
• digger
• jigger
• rigger
• rigor
• trigger
• vigor
• gravedigger

Kids Definition

hair-trigger

adjective

hair-trig·​ger

-ˌtrig-ər

: immediately responsive : quick entry 1 sense 2c

a hair-trigger temper

Etymology

Adjective

from hair trigger, a trigger adjusted so as to permit a firearm to be fired with very slight pressure