Hair vs. Glib: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 2, 2023
Hair is a threadlike strand growing from the skin of humans and animals, whereas glib refers to fluent and voluble but insincere and shallow speech.
Key Differences
Hair and glib are words that pertain to completely different categories and concepts in the English language. Hair is a filamentous biomaterial, a natural substance growing predominantly on the scalps of humans and the bodies of animals. It serves various functions, including protection, sensory, and aesthetic, and can be different in terms of texture, color, and length. Hair is a tangible, visible element of the human and animal anatomy, playing a vital role in the biological and visual aspects of different species.
Glib, in contrast, is an adjective describing a manner of speaking or writing that is perceived as smooth, fluent, and voluble, but often lacking in depth, sincerity, or thoughtfulness. It connotes superficiality and insincerity, pointing to communication that is articulate and persuasive but potentially deceptive or shallow. Unlike hair, glib is an abstract concept, reflective of a person’s communicative style and the perceived integrity and substance of their expression.
The essence of hair is its physical and biological presence, its manifestation as a component of human and animal bodies, contributing to protection, sensation, and appearance. It is a definitive and observable feature, representing individual and species characteristics, such as health, age, and genetics. The attributes and condition of hair can convey various information and are subject to individual care, style, and modification, making it a significant aspect of personal and cultural identity.
The essence of glib is its articulation and impression, the manner and quality of verbal or written expression that is facile, convincing, but possibly lacking in genuineness and depth. It is indicative of a person’s approach to communication, reflecting their eloquence, persuasiveness, and, potentially, their superficiality and insincerity. Glibness can influence interpersonal interactions and perceptions, affecting the credibility, authenticity, and effectiveness of communication.
In summary, hair is a physical and biological feature of humans and animals, representing individual and species-specific characteristics and serving various functions. Glib, conversely, is an attribute of communication, signifying fluency and ease but potentially indicating superficiality and insincerity. While hair is concrete and observable, glib is conceptual and perceptual, each holding distinct significance in their respective contexts.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Physical and biological
Conceptual and perceptual
Category
Anatomical
Descriptive adjective
Context
Biological, personal
Communicative, interpersonal
Connotation
Neutral, can be positive or negative
Generally negative
Usage
Used to describe a feature of humans and animals
Used to describe a manner of speaking or writing
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Hair and Glib Definitions
Hair
A thin strand that grows from the skin of humans and animals.
Her hair is long and silky.
Glib
Fluent and voluble but lacking in depth or sincerity.
His glib remarks were not well-received.
Hair
A filamentous biomaterial.
The hair of the dog was coarse and thick.
Glib
Articulate and eloquent but superficial.
The politician’s glib speech raised eyebrows.
Hair
A similar growth on the body of a person or animal.
The horse’s mane is composed of long hair.
Glib
Excessively talkative in a self-assured way.
The host was glib but uninformative.
Hair
Any of the cylindrical, keratinized, often pigmented filaments characteristically growing from the epidermis of a mammal.
Glib
Performed with a natural, offhand ease
Was fascinated by his unfailingly glib conversation.
Hair
A growth of such filaments, as that forming the coat of an animal or covering the scalp of a human.
Glib
Given to or characterized by fluency of speech or writing that often suggests insincerity, superficiality, or a lack of concern
Criticized him for being glib about something so serious.
Hair
A filamentous projection or bristle similar to a hair, such as a seta of an arthropod or an epidermal process of a plant.
Glib
Having a ready flow of words but lacking thought or understanding; superficial; shallow.
Hair
Fabric made from the hair of certain animals
A coat of alpaca hair.
Glib
(dated) Smooth or slippery.
A sheet of glib ice
Hair
A minute distance or narrow margin
Won by a hair.
Glib
Artfully persuasive but insincere in nature; smooth-talking, honey-tongued, silver-tongued.
A glib tongue; a glib speech
Hair
A precise or exact degree
Calibrated to a hair.
Glib
(US) Snarky or unserious in a disrespectful way.
Hair
(countable) A pigmented filament of keratin which grows from a follicle on the skin of humans and other mammals.
Glib
(transitive) To make smooth or slippery.
Hair
(uncountable) The collection or mass of such growths growing from the skin of humans and animals, and forming a covering for a part of the head or for any part or the whole body.
In the western world, women usually have long hair while men usually have short hair.
Glib
(obsolete) To castrate; to geld; to emasculate.
Hair
A slender outgrowth from the chitinous cuticle of insects, spiders, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. Such hairs are totally unlike those of vertebrates in structure, composition, and mode of growth.
Glib
(historical) A mass of matted hair worn down over the eyes, formerly used in Ireland.
Hair
A cellular outgrowth of the epidermis, consisting of one or of several cells, whether pointed, hooked, knobbed, or stellated.
Internal hairs occur in the flower stalk of the yellow frog lily (Nuphar).
Glib
Smooth; slippery; as, ice is glib.
Hair
(countable) Any slender, flexible outgrowth, filament, or fiber growing or projecting from the surface of an object or organism.
Glib
Speaking or spoken smoothly and with flippant rapidity; fluent; voluble; as, a glib tongue; a glib speech.
I want that glib and oily art,To speak and purpose not.
Hair
A locking spring or other safety device in the lock of a rifle, etc., capable of being released by a slight pressure on a hair-trigger.
Glib
To make glib.
Hair
(obsolete) Haircloth; a hair shirt.
Glib
To castrate; to geld; to emasculate.
Hair
(countable) Any very small distance, or degree; a hairbreadth.
Just a little louder please—turn that knob a hair to the right.
Glib
A thick lock of hair, hanging over the eyes.
The Irish have, from the Scythians, mantles and long glibs, which is a thick curied bush of hair hanging down over their eyes, and monstrously disguising them.
Their wild costume of the glib and mantle.
Hair
Complexity; difficulty; the quality of being hairy.
Glib
Marked by lack of intellectual depth;
Glib generalizations
A glib response to a complex question
Hair
(transitive) To remove the hair from.
Glib
Having only superficial plausibility;
Glib promises
A slick commercial
Hair
(intransitive) To grow hair (where there was a bald spot).
Glib
Artfully persuasive in speech;
A glib tongue
A smooth-tongued hypocrite
Hair
(transitive) To cause to have or bear hair; to provide with hair
Glib
Smooth-talking and persuasively deceptive.
The salesman was glib and convincing.
Hair
To string the bow for a violin.
Glib
Marked by ease and informality in speaking or writing.
The author’s glib style is engaging but lacks depth.
Hair
The collection or mass of filaments growing from the skin of an animal, and forming a covering for a part of the head or for any part or the whole of the body.
Hair
One the above-mentioned filaments, consisting, in vertebrate animals, of a long, tubular part which is free and flexible, and a bulbous root imbedded in the skin.
Then read he me how Sampson lost his hairs.
And draweth new delights with hoary hairs.
Hair
Hair (human or animal) used for various purposes; as, hair for stuffing cushions.
Hair
A slender outgrowth from the chitinous cuticle of insects, spiders, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. Such hairs are totally unlike those of vertebrates in structure, composition, and mode of growth.
Hair
An outgrowth of the epidermis, consisting of one or of several cells, whether pointed, hooked, knobbed, or stellated. Internal hairs occur in the flower stalk of the yellow frog lily (Nuphar).
Hair
A spring device used in a hair-trigger firearm.
Hair
A haircloth.
Hair
Any very small distance, or degree; a hairbreadth.
Hair
Dense growth of hairs covering the body or parts of it (as on the human head); helps prevent heat loss;
He combed his hair
Hair
A very small distance or space;
They escaped by a hair's-breadth
They lost the election by a whisker
Hair
Filamentous hairlike growth on a plant;
Peach fuzz
Hair
Any of the cylindrical filaments characteristically growing from the epidermis of a mammal;
There is a hair in my soup
Hair
Cloth woven from horsehair or camelhair; used for upholstery or stiffening in garments
Hair
A filamentous projection or process on an organism
Hair
The collective strands growing on the human scalp.
He has a full head of black hair.
Hair
A particular kind or texture of such strands.
He has curly hair.
FAQs
Is being glib considered a positive attribute?
Generally, being glib is perceived negatively as it implies lack of sincerity or depth.
Is hair exclusive to mammals?
Yes, hair is a characteristic feature of mammals.
Can hair be of different textures and colors?
Yes, hair can vary widely in texture, color, and length.
What is the primary function of hair?
Hair primarily provides protection, sensory functions, and contributes to appearance.
Does hair have sensory functions?
Yes, hair has sensory functions, contributing to the sense of touch.
What does glib signify in communication?
Glib signifies fluent but possibly superficial and insincere communication.
Can glibness be intentional?
Yes, glibness can be intentionally employed to persuade or deceive.
Can glib also refer to writing?
Yes, glib can refer to writing that is fluent and easy but lacking in depth or thoughtfulness.
Can the absence of hair be a choice?
Yes, some people choose to remove their hair for aesthetic, practical, or personal reasons.
Can hair be modified and styled?
Yes, hair can be cut, colored, and styled in various ways.
Is glib synonymous with articulate?
While glib does involve articulate expression, it also implies superficiality and insincerity.
Does hair growth vary from person to person?
Yes, hair growth can significantly vary in rate and density among individuals.
Can glib individuals be credible communicators?
Glib individuals may face credibility issues due to perceived insincerity or superficiality.
Can glib remarks be persuasive?
Glib remarks can be persuasive due to their fluent and confident delivery.
Is the color of hair genetically determined?
Yes, the color of hair is largely genetically determined.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
