barber paradox

proper noun

A paradox of self-reference, where, supposing that every man either shaves himself or is shaved by the barber, and the barber shaves all and only the men who do not shave themselves, then it is impossible to determine who shaves the barber.

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Meanings

proper nounthe barber paradox
  1. A paradox of self-reference, where, supposing that every man either shaves himself or is shaved by the barber, and the barber shaves all and only the men who do not shave themselves, then it is impossible to determine who shaves the barber.

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 理髮師悖論 /理发师悖论
  • 理髮師悖論 /理发师悖论 (lǐfàshī bèilún)Translations
Polish paradoks fryzjera
  • paradoks fryzjeraTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

barber paradox. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/barber%20paradox

MLA

“barber paradox.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/barber%20paradox. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “barber paradox,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/barber%20paradox.

Source: barber paradox on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.