split end

noun

Definition of split end

1 : an offensive football end who lines up usually several yards to the side of the formation

2 : a hair tip that has become frayed (as from dryness) —usually used in plural

Recent Examples of split end from the Web

Matt Davison is a former split end for Nebraska from 1997-2000.

— erin sorensen, ajc, "A Nebraska win would provide blueprint, confidence, according to 2 former Huskers," 5 Oct. 2017
At Society, members pay a fee of $80 per month for as many blowouts as their split ends will tolerate (Other packages with nominally higher fees incorporate monthly highlights and hair cuts; men can get unlimited cuts for $60 a month).

— erica pitman, Town & Country, "Members Only," 29 Oct. 2014
Rub Vaseline on your lobes, and you'll have a much easier time. 9. Hide split ends.

— elizabeth denton, Seventeen, "13 Life-Changing Beauty Hacks Using Vaseline," 20 Oct. 2017
The Miami Dolphins are preparing to play a second consecutive game without DeVante Parker, the team’s starting split end receiver.

— omar kelly, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Dolphins take 'all hands on deck' approach to life without DeVante Parker," 20 Oct. 2017
Hairstylists wax poetic about how cutting off fried, scraggly, split ends will actually help your hair grow longer and stronger.

— harper's bazaar staff, Harper's BAZAAR, "Angelina Jolie Just Cut Her Hair," 17 Oct. 2017
After all your hair is straightened, apply a spritz of a frizz-fighting product into your hands, like Serge Normant Meta Sheer Dry Oil Finishing Spray, and then apply it to the ends for high shine and to keep any split ends looking polished.

— carly cardellino, Cosmopolitan, "8 Gorgeous Hairstyles Perfect For Any Holiday Bash," 16 Oct. 2017
Deonte Thompson is in line to start at flanker, opposite split end Kevin White.

— chicago tribune staff, chicagotribune.com, "Kyle Long, Mark Sanchez among Bears' inactives for season opener vs. Falcons," 10 Sep. 2017
Basically, shrinkage, breakage, split ends, and knots really shouldn't be happening if your hair is properly moisturized.

— chloe metzger, Marie Claire, "The One Thing You *Need* to Be Doing If You Have Kinky-Curly Hair," 28 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'split end.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of split end

1955

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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