Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense heads, present participle heading, past tense, past participle headedHead is used in a large number of expressions which are explained under other words inthe dictionary. For example, the expression 'off the top of your head' is explainedat 'top'.
1. countable noun
Your head is the top part of your body, which has your eyes, mouth, and brain in it.
She turned her head away from him.
He took a puff on his pipe and shook his head.
Synonyms: skull, crown, pate, bean [US, Canadian, slang] More Synonyms of head
You can also use head as a measure of distance, equal to the length of a person's or animal's head.
The third gorilla was taller by a head.
2. countable noun
You can use head to refer to your mind and your mental abilities.
I can't get that song out of my head.
...an exceptional analyst who could do complex maths in his head.
3. singular noun
The headof a line of people or vehicles is the front of it, or the first person or vehicle inthe line.
...the head of the queue. [+ of]
We took our place at the head of the convoy.
Synonyms: front, beginning, top, first place More Synonyms of head
4. verb
If someone or something heads a line or procession, they are at the front of it.
The parson, heading the procession, had just turned right towards the churchyard. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: lead, precede, be the leader of, be or go first More Synonyms of head
5. verb
If something heads a list or group, it is at the top of it.
The book has sold twelve thousand copies in three weeks, and is still heading thelist of best-sellers. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: top, lead, crown, cap More Synonyms of head
6. singular noun
The head of something is the highest or top part of it.
...the head of the stairs. [+ of]
Every day a different name was placed at the head of the chart. [+ of]
Synonyms: top, crown, summit, height More Synonyms of head
7. countable noun
The head of something long and thin is the end which is wider than or a different shape fromthe rest, and which is often considered to be the most important part.
There should be no exposed screw heads.
Keep the head of the club the same height throughout the swing.
...a flower head.
8. countable noun
The head of a school is the teacher who is in charge.
[mainly British]
She is full of admiration for the head and teachers.
Synonyms: head teacher, principal, headmaster or headmistress More Synonyms of head
9. countable noun
The head of a company or organization is the person in charge of it and in charge of the peoplein it.
...heads of government from more than 100 countries. [+ of]
...the head waiter.
Synonyms: leader, president, director, manager More Synonyms of head
10. verb
If you head a department, company, or organization, you are the person in charge of it.
He had just been appointed to head the corporate-finance department. [VERB noun]
My department is headed by two 30-year-olds. [VERB-ed]
11. countable noun
The head of an infected spot is its white or yellow centre.
12. countable noun [usually singular]
The head on a glass of beer is the layer of small bubbles that form on the top of the beer.
13. plural noun [num Nof n]
You can use head to say how many animals of a particular type a farmer has. For example, if they have fifty head of cattle, they have fifty cows.
14. countable noun [usually singular]
If you have a bad head, you have a headache.
[British, informal]
I had a terrible head and was extraordinarily drunk.
15. adverb [beADVERB, ADVERB after verb]
If you toss a coin and it comes down heads, you can see the side of the coin which has a picture of a head on it.
'We might toss up for it,' suggested Ted. 'If it's heads, then we'll talk.'.
Heads or tails?
16. verb
If you are heading for a particular place, you are going towards that place. In American English, youcan also say that you are headed for a particular place.
He headed for the bus stop. [VERB + for]
...an Iraqi vessel heading for the port of Basra. [VERBfor noun]
It is not clear how many of them will be heading back to Saudi Arabia tomorrow. [VERB adverb/preposition]
She and her child boarded a plane headed to where her family lived. [VERB-ed]
He could just as well have hitched a ride on a train or a truck headed west. [VERB-ed]
17. verb
If something or someone is heading for a particular result, the situation they are in is developing in a way that makesthat result very likely. In American English, you can also say that something or someoneis headedfor a particular result.
The latest talks aimed at ending the civil war appear to be heading for deadlock. [VERB + for]
If she does not work hard, Laure is heading for disaster. [Vfor/towards n]
The centuries-old ritual seems headed for extinction. [V-ed + for]
[Also V + towards]
18. verb [usually passive]
If a piece of writing is headed a particular title, it has that title written at the beginning of it.
One chapter is headed, 'Beating the Test'.
19. verb
If you head a ball in football, you hit it with your head in order to make it go in a particulardirection.
He headed the ball across the face of the goal. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
[Also VERB noun]
20. See also heading
21.
See a head
22.
See do your head in
23.
See from head to foot
24.
See head for sth
25.
See get sth into one's head
26.
See get sth into one's head
27.
See give sb their head
28.
See go to one's head
29.
See go to one's head
30.
See head over heels
31.
See to keep your head
32.
See to knock something on the head
33.
See to laugh your head off
34.
See be off one's head
35.
See off one's head
36.
See stand/turn sth on it's head
37.
See be over sb's head
38.
See over sb's head
39.
See to rear/raise its ugly head
40.
See stand on one's head
41.
See make head (n)or tail
42.
See take it into one's head
43.
See come to a head/bring sth to a head
44.
See to bang two peoples' heads together
45.
See to put your heads together
46.
See to keep your head above water
47.
See heads will roll
Phrasal verbs:
See head off
See head up
More Synonyms of head
head in British English
(hɛd)
noun
1.
the upper or front part of the body in vertebrates, including humans, that containsand protects the brain, eyes, mouth, and nose and ears when present
▶ Related adjective: cephalic
2.
the corresponding part of an invertebrate animal
3.
something resembling a head in form or function, such as the top of a tool
4.
a.
the person commanding most authority within a group, organization, etc
b.
(as modifier)
head buyer
c.
(in combination)
headmaster
5.
the position of leadership or command
at the head of his class
6.
a.
the most forward part of a thing; a part that juts out; front
the head of a queue
b.
(as modifier)
head point
7.
the highest part of a thing; upper end
the head of the pass
8.
the froth on the top of a glass of beer
9.
aptitude, intelligence, and emotions (esp in the phrases above or over one's head, have a head for, keep one's head, lose one's head, etc)
she has a good head for figures
a wise old head
10. Word forms: pluralhead
a person or animal considered as a unit
the show was two pounds per head
six hundred head of cattle
11.
the head considered as a measure of length or height
he's a head taller than his mother
12. botany
a.
a dense inflorescence such as that of the daisy and other composite plants
b.
any other compact terminal part of a plant, such as the leaves of a cabbage or lettuce
13.
a culmination or crisis (esp in the phrase bring or come to a head)
14.
the pus-filled tip or central part of a pimple, boil, etc
15.
the head considered as the part of the body on which hair grows densely
a fine head of hair
16.
the source or origin of a river or stream
17. (capital when part of name)
a headland or promontory, esp a high one
18.
the obverse of a coin, usually bearing a portrait of the head or a full figure of a monarch, deity, etc
Compare tail1
19.
a main point or division of an argument, discourse, etc
20. (often plural)
the headline at the top of a newspaper article or the heading of a section within an article
21. nautical
a.
the front part of a ship or boat
b.
(in sailing ships) the upper corner or edge of a sail
c.
the top of any spar or derrick
d.
any vertical timber cut to shape
e. (often plural) a slang word for lavatory
22. grammar another word for governor (sense 7)
23.
the taut membrane of a drum, tambourine, etc
24.
a.
the height of the surface of liquid above a specific point, esp when considered orused as a measure of the pressure at that point
a head of four feet
b.
pressure of water, caused by height or velocity, measured in terms of a vertical column of water
c.
any pressure
a head of steam in the boiler
25. slang
a.
a person who regularly takes drugs, esp LSD or cannabis
b.
(in combination)
an acidhead
a pothead
26. mining
a road driven into the coal face
27.
a.
the terminal point of a route
b.
(in combination)
railhead
28.
a device on a turning or boring machine, such as a lathe, that is equipped with one or more cutting tools held to the work by this device
29. cylinder head
30.
an electromagnet that can read, write, or erase information on a magnetic medium such as a magnetic tape, disk, or drum, used in computers, tape recorders, etc
31. informal short for headmaster, headmistress, head teacher
32.
a.
the head of a horse considered as a narrow margin in the outcome of a race (in the phrase win by a head)
b.
any narrow margin of victory (in the phrase (win) by a head)
33. informal short for headache
34. curling
the stones lying in the house after all 16 have been played
35. bowling
the jack and the bowls that have been played considered together as a target area
36. against the head
37. bite someone's head off
38. bring to a head
39. get it into one's head
40. give head
41. give someone his or her head
42. give a horse its head
43. go to one's head
44. head and shoulders above
45. head over heels
46. hold up one's head
47. keep one's head
48. keep one's head above water
49. make head
50. make head or tail of
51. off one's head
52. off the top of one's head
53. on one's head
54. one's head off
55. over someone's head
56. put their heads together
57. take it into one's head
58. turn heads
59. turn something on its head
60. turn someone's head
verb
61. (transitive)
to be at the front or top of
to head the field
62. (transitive; often foll byup)
to be in the commanding or most important position
63. (often foll by for)
to go or cause to go (towards)
where are you heading?
64.
to turn or steer (a vessel) as specified
to head into the wind
65. soccer
to propel (the ball) by striking it with the head
66. (transitive)
to provide with or be a head or heading
to head a letter
the quotation which heads chapter 6
67. (transitive)
to cut the top branches or shoots off (a tree or plant)
68. (intransitive)
to form a head, as a boil or plant
69. (intransitive; often foll byin)
(of streams, rivers, etc) to originate or rise in
70. head them
Derived forms
headlike (ˈheadˌlike)
adjective
Word origin
Old English hēafod; related to Old Norse haufuth, Old Frisian hāved, Old Saxon hōbid, Old High German houbit
Head in British English
(hɛd)
noun
Edith. 1907–81, US dress designer: won many Oscars for her Hollywood film costume designs
-head in British English
combining form
indicating a person having a preoccupation as specified
breadhead
head in American English
(hɛd)
noun
1.
a.
the top part of the body in humans, the apes, etc., or the front part in most other animals: in higher animals it is a bony structure containing the brain, and including the jaws, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth
b.
this part exclusive of the face
2.
a.
the head as the seat of reason, memory, and imagination; mind; intelligence
to use one's head
b.
aptitude; ability
to have a head for mathematics
c. Informal
a headache, esp. as part of a hangover
3.
the head as a symbol for the individual; person
dinner at five dollars a head
4. Word forms: pluralhead
the head as a unit of counting
fifty head of cattle
5.
a representation of a head, as in painting or sculpture
6.
the obverse of a coin, usually with such a representation
: often heads
7.
the highest or uppermost part or thing; top
; specif.,
a.
the top of a page, column of figures, etc.
b.
a printed title at the top of a page, section of writing, etc.
c.
a chief point of discussion; topic of a section, chapter, etc. in a speech or written work
d.
a headline for a newspaper story
e.
froth floating on newly poured effervescent beverages, esp. on beer
f.
that end of a cask or barrel which is uppermost at any time
g.
the upper edge or corner of a sail
8.
the foremost part of a thing; front
; specif.,
a.
a part associated with the human head
the head of a bed
b.
the end of a pier farthest from land
c.
the front part of a ship; bow
d. Nautical
a toilet, or lavatory
e.
the front position, as of a column of marchers
f.
either end of something; extremity
9.
the projecting part of something
; specif.,
a.
the part designed for holding, pushing, striking, etc.
the head of a pin, the head of a golf club
b.
a jutting mass of rock, land, etc. as of a mountain
c.
a point of land; promontory; headland
d.
a projecting place in a boil or other inflammation where pus is about to break through
e.
the part of a tape recorder that records or plays back the magnetic signals on thetape
f.
warhead
10.
the membrane stretched across the end of a drum, tambourine, etc.; drumhead
11.
the source of a flowing body of water; beginning of a stream, river, etc.
12.
a.
a source of water kept at some height to supply a mill, etc.
b.
the height of such a source of water or the vertical distance through which it falls
c.
a rush of water, as in a riptide
13.
the pressure in an enclosed fluid, as steam, from its own weight or applied externally
14.
a position of leadership, honor, or first importance
the head of the class
15.
the person who is foremost or in charge; leader, ruler, chief, director, etc.
16.
a headmaster
17. Botany
a.
a dense cluster of tiny sessile flowers attached to a common receptacle, as in the composite family
b.
a large, compact bud
a head of cabbage
c.
the uppermost part of a plant's foliage
the head of a tree
18. US, Jazz
a.
the melody or theme of a composition
b.
an improvised, usually extemporaneous arrangement that is not written down
: in full head arrangement
19. Linguistics
any word or word group in a construction that functions grammatically like the entire construction
“woman” is the head of “the woman who wrote that book”
20. Mining
heading (sense 4)
21. Music
the rounded part of a note, at the end of the stem
22. US, Slang
a.
a habitual user of a hallucinogen, stimulant, etc., as marijuana or cocaine
often in combination
acidhead
b.
a person dedicated to, enthusiastic about, or addicted to some interest, activity, food, etc.
usually in combination
cheesehead
adjective
23.
of or having to do with the head
24.
most important; principal; commanding; first
25.
to be found at the top or front
26.
striking against the front
head winds
verb transitive
27.
to be the chief of or in charge of; command; direct
28.
a.
to be at the top or beginning of; lead; precede
often with up
to head a list
b.
to take a lead over, as in a race or competition
29.
to supply (a pin, etc.) with a head
30. Rare
to behead; decapitate
31.
to trim the higher part from (a tree or plant); poll
32. US
to go around the head of
to head a stream
33.
to turn or cause to go in a specified direction
to head a car for home
34. Soccer
to hit (the ball) with one's head
verb intransitive
35.
to grow or come to a head
36.
to set out; travel
to head eastward
37. US
to originate, as a river
Idioms:
by a head
by the head
come to a head
get it through one's (or someone's) head
give head
go to someone's head
hang one's head
head and shoulders above
head for
head off
one's head off
head over heels
heads up!
keep one's head
keep one's head above water
lose one's head
make head
make head or tail of
on (or upon) someone's head
out of one's head
over someone's head
put heads together
take it into one's head
turn someone's head
Word origin
ME hede, heved < OE heafod, akin to Ger haupt (OHG houbit, Goth haubith) < IE base *kaput- (orig. prob. cup-shaped) > L caput: merged in Gmc with word akin to OHG hūba, a cap, crest (Ger haube) < IE base *keu-, to bend, curve
-head in American English
(hɛd)
-hood
godhead
-head in American English
suffix
a native English suffix meaning “state of being” (godhead; maidenhead), occurring in words now mostly archaic or obsolete, many being superseded by forms in -hood
Word origin
[ME -hede, OE *-hǣdu, f. of -hād-hood]
head in Chemical Engineering
(hɛd)
noun
(Chemical Engineering: General)
Head is a measure of pressure, which is based on the height of a column of liquid.
As water in the column pipe fills, air is released through an air release valve andthe head builds to a sufficient level above atmospheric pressure (10 to 15 psi).
The head is a measure of the liquid pressure in comparison with that of the atmosphere.
Head is a measure of pressure, which is based on the height of a column of liquid.
fluid head, net positive suction head, velocity head
head in Mechanical Engineering
(hɛd)
noun
(Mechanical engineering: Fluid engineering)
Head is a measure of pressure, which is based on the height of a column of liquid.
As water in the column pipe fills, air is released through an air release valve andthe head builds to a sufficient level above atmospheric pressure.
Head is a measure of pressure at a given point in a water system, or the height of a columnof water that would produce the pressure.
Head is a measure of pressure, which is based on the height of a column of liquid.
static head
More idioms containing
head
someone needs something like a hole in the head
turn something on its head
something rears its head
someone cannot make head or tail of something
someone can do something standing on their head
scratch your head
put your head into the lion's mouth
put your head in a noose
put your head above the parapet
out of your head
on your head be it
off your head
off the top of your head
not right in the head
lose your head
laugh your head off
knock something on the head
keep your head down
keep your head above water
keep your head
keep a cool head
a head of steam
have your head screwed on
have your head in the clouds
go to your head
go over someone's head
give someone their head
get your head around something
get in over your head
from head to toe
fall head over heels
do someone's head in
come to a head
bury your head in the sand
build up a head of steam
bite someone's head off
be head and shoulders above someone
be hanging over someone's head
be banging your head against a brick wall
hold a gun to someone's head
have eyes in the back of your head
put your head on the block
be like a bear with a sore head
have the Sword of Damocles hanging over your head
hit the nail on the head
Examples of 'head' in a sentence
head
It was hard getting my head round all of that.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
You must walk away with your head held high.
The Sun (2016)
Do we really want to pat these people on the head and ask them to grow up?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But the proliferation of pots with apparently competing attributes makes the head spin.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was incredible, seeing pictures in my head brought to life.
The Sun (2017)
Senior managers could be encouraged to leave industry and become heads to help tackle the shortage, gaining classroom experience as part of their training.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The figures show that the university spent 32 a head on counselling services last year, well above the average.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It pinged off my head into the top corner.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They have been seen turning their head and preening their back while still flying.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Yet there is concern that success may have gone to the heads of wine makers.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Make sure you head down early in the day to get a good spot.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
You must also put your head more above your left foot than the right.
Lewis, Beverly Winning Golf for Women (1993)
The head of department was in such a foul mood.
The Sun (2010)
Tommy knew it was a bad idea as soon as he changed on to the new heading.
Len Deighton Bomber
You make the pictures in your head and do the voices.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
We had not won in the league and that had played a big part in our heads.
The Sun (2011)
Scotland was first to feel the change in temperature as the front headed east midweek.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They head for a line of metal cages piled up with white candles.
Claudia Hammond EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER: A Journey Through the Science of Feelings (2005)
Do you know the relative chances of a coin landing heads up twice in a row?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Using the same wet and used brush head both day and night can be ineffective.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It gives me the weekend to get my head together.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
New folks always want to meet the head person.
Christianity Today (2000)
There are moments when your head becomes a blur.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Each has a spider body with a chapter heading and a series of wavy lines going in and another going out.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He said that resources were being wasted as a result with different research programmesheading up blind alleys one after each other.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Another car fills up behind them, and they all head off in convoy.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Word lists with
head
parts of plants
In other languages
head
British English: head /hɛd/ NOUN
leader The head of something is the person who is its leader.
He is the head of the school.
American English: principal principal
Arabic: رَئِيس
Brazilian Portuguese: diretor
Chinese: 首脑
Croatian: poglavar
Czech: vedoucí
Danish: leder
Dutch: hoofd baas
European Spanish: jefe
Finnish: rehtori
French: directeur
German: Leiter
Greek: επικεφαλής
Italian: capo
Japanese: 長 統率
Korean: 우두머리
Norwegian: sjef
Polish: zwierzchnik
European Portuguese: director
Romanian: șef
Russian: директор
Latin American Spanish: jefe
Swedish: chef
Thai: ครูใหญ่
Turkish: baş yönetim
Ukrainian: керівник
Vietnamese: người đứng đầu
British English: head /hɛd/ NOUN
part of the body Your head is the part of your body at the top that has your eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and brain in it.
The ball hit him on the head.
American English: head body part
Arabic: رَأْس
Brazilian Portuguese: cabeça
Chinese: 头
Croatian: glava
Czech: hlava
Danish: hoved
Dutch: hoofd lichaamsdeel
European Spanish: cabeza
Finnish: pää
French: tête
German: Kopf
Greek: κεφάλι
Italian: testa
Japanese: 頭 body part
Korean: 머리
Norwegian: hode
Polish: głowa
European Portuguese: cabeça
Romanian: cap
Russian: голова
Latin American Spanish: cabeza
Swedish: huvud
Thai: ศีรษะ
Turkish: baş vücut
Ukrainian: голова
Vietnamese: cái đầu
British English: head /hɛd/ VERB
If someone or something heads a line, they are at the front of it.
She headed the line on her big white horse.
American English: head
Arabic: يَرْأَسُ
Brazilian Portuguese: liderar
Chinese: 领头
Croatian: voditi
Czech: být v čele
Danish: lede
Dutch: aan het hoofd staan van
European Spanish: encabezar
Finnish: johtaa
French: présider
German: anführen
Greek: ηγούμαι
Italian: dirigere
Japanese: ･･･の先頭に立つ
Korean: ...으로 나아가다
Norwegian: lede
Polish: prowadzić
European Portuguese: liderar
Romanian: a se îndrepta
Russian: возглавлять
Latin American Spanish: encabezar
Swedish: sätta kurs
Thai: นำ
Turkish: başı çekmek
Ukrainian: очолювати
Vietnamese: dẫn đầu
All related terms of 'head'
pressure head
the upper or front part of the body in vertebrates , including humans, that contains and protects the brain , eyes , mouth , and nose and ears when present
sheephead
a trick-taking card game originating in Germany and belonging to the Skat family of games
head on
If two vehicles hit each other head-on , they hit each other with their fronts pointing towards each other.
head up
The person who heads up a group, organization , or activity is the leader of it.
base head
a person who is addicted to cocaine
big head
If you describe someone as a big head , you disapprove of them because they think they are very clever and know everything.
dead-head
To dead-head a plant which is flowering means to remove all the dead flowers from it.
give head
to perform fellatio
hard head
semirefined tin containing iron
head boy
The head boy of a school is a senior male student who often represents the school on public occasions .
head-butt
If someone head-butts you, they hit you with the top of their head.
head chef
the chief cook in a restaurant
head cold
a cold which affects the mucous membranes of the nose ; the symptoms are sneezing , headaches and a blocked-up nose
head for
to go or cause to go (towards)
head gate
a gate that controls the flow of water into a canal lock , sluice , etc.
head girl
The head girl of a school is a senior female student who often represents the school on public occasions .
head lad
a man who is in charge of a racing stable
head lice
lice which lay eggs in human hair
head-load
baggage or goods arranged so as to be carried on the heads of African porters
head off
If you head off a person, animal, or vehicle, you move to a place in front of them in order to capture them or make them change the direction they are moving in.
head sea
a sea in which the waves run directly against the course of a ship
head shop
a shop that sells equipment connected with using drugs
head them
to toss the coins in a game of two-up
head tone
any of the tones produced in the head register
head trip
an exhilarating intellectual experience
head wind
a wind blowing in the direction directly opposite the course of a ship or aircraft
make head
to make progress
read head
a part of a recording device that senses data on a carrier medium such as a disk or tape
rev-head
a motor-sport enthusiast
tape head
a device which converts electrical signals to magnetic fluctuations and back again; used in tape recorders
year head
a senior teacher who is responsible for a year in a secondary school
head-to-head
A head-to-head contest or competition is one in which two people or groups compete directly against each other.
Beachy Head
a headland in East Sussex , on the English Channel , consisting of chalk cliffs 171 m (570 ft) high
by a head
by the length of the animal's head, as in horse racing
cheese-head
denoting or relating to a screw or bolt with a cylindrical slotted head
deputy head
a vice-principal
dummy head
a model of the human head with a microphone in each ear intended to receive sound in binaural and surround sound reproduction and transmission
erase head
an electromagnet that can erase information on a magnetic medium
flower head
an inflorescence in which stalkless florets are crowded together at the tip of the stem
fluid head
The fluid head is the pressure which is measured by the height to which fluid that is being pumped can be raised by the pressure.
head-banger
a heavy-metal rock fan
head clerk
a supervisor ; manager
head collar
the part of a bridle that fits round a horse's head
head count
If you do a head count , you count the number of people present. You can also use head count to talk about the number of people that are present at an event , or that an organization employs.
head doctor
a psychiatrist
head-first
If you move head-first in a particular direction, your head is the part of your body that is furthest forward as you are moving.
head height
head level
head injury
an injury to the head
head louse
head money
a reward paid for the capture or slaying of a fugitive , outlaw , etc
⇒ The list of most polluted cities is headed by London.污染最严重的城市列表以伦敦打头。 (Wūrǎn zuì yánzhòng de chéngshì lièbiǎo yǐ Lúndūn dǎtóu.)
[group, company]领(領)导(導) (lǐngdǎo)
⇒ The firm is headed by John Murray.公司是由约翰·麦瑞领导的。 (Gōngsī shì yóu Yuēhàn Màiruì lǐngdǎo de.)
(Football)[ball]用头(頭)顶(頂) (yòng tóu dǐng)
he fell head first into the river他头(頭)向下地栽到水里(裡) (tā tóu xiàngxià de zāi dào shuǐli)
to go or fall head over heels (lit) 头(頭)朝下跌倒 (tóu cháoxià diēdǎo)
to fall head over heels (in love) (fig) 神魂颠倒地坠(墜)入(情网(網)) (shénhún diāndǎo de zhuìrù (qíngwǎng))
10 pounds a or per head每人10英镑(鎊) (měi rén shí yīngbàng)
she's got a head for figures/heights她有算术(術)才能/善于(於)登高 (tā yǒu suànshù cáinéng/shànyú dēnggāo)
I have no head for heights/figures我登高/算数(數)不灵(靈) (wǒ dēnggāo/suànshù bùlíng)
to come to a head/to be brought to a head[situation]到了紧(緊)要关(關)头(頭) (dàole jǐnyào guāntóu)
let's put our heads together咱(偺)们(們)共同商量 (zánmen gòngtóng shāngliang)
off the top of my head我估计(計) (wǒ gūjì)
on your own head be it!由你自负(負)后(後)果! (Yóu nǐ zìfù hòuguǒ!)
to bite or snap sb's head off对(對)某人大发(發)脾气(氣) (duì mǒurén dà fā píqì)
it went to his head[alcohol]喝得他晕(暈)头(頭)转(轉)向 (hē de tā yūn tóu zhuàn xiàng) [success, power]冲(沖)昏了他的头(頭)脑(腦) (chōnghūnle tā de tóunǎo)
to keep one's head保持镇(鎮)定 (bǎochí zhèndìng)
to lose one's head仓(倉)皇失措 (cānghuáng shīcuò)
I can't make head or or nor tail of this (inf) 我对(對)这(這)件事一点(點)也摸不着(著)头(頭)脑(腦) (wǒ duì zhè jiàn shì yīdiǎn yě mō bù zháo tóunǎo)
to go/be off one's head (esp Brit, inf) 发(發)疯(瘋)了 (fāfēng le)
to be off or out of one's head (= on drink, drugs) 神志不清 (shénzhì bù qīng)
to have got it into one's head that ... (= be under impression that) 固执(執)地认(認)为(為) ... (gùzhí de rènwéi ... ) (= have understood that) 明白了 ... (míngbai le ... )
from head to foot or toe从(從)头(頭)到脚(腳) (cóng tóu dào jiǎo)
to laugh/scream one's head off狂笑/狂呼不已 (kuángxiào/kuánghū bùyǐ)
to go over sb's head令某人不能理解 (lìng mǒurén bùnéng lǐjiě)
heads or tails?正面还(還)是反面？ (zhèngmiàn háishi fǎnmiàn?)
it's heads硬币(幣)正面 (yìngbì zhèngmiàn)
All related terms of 'head'
head up
( organization, investigation ) 领(領)导(導) lǐngdǎo ⇒ Judge Samuel Evans headed up the investigation. → 塞缪尔·埃文斯法官领导这项调查。 Sàimiù'ěr Āiwénsī fǎguān lǐngdǎo zhè xiàng diàochá.
head for
( place ) 前往 qiánwǎng ⇒ What's the name of the place we're heading for? → 我们要去的地方叫什么？ Wǒmen yào qù de dìfang jiào shénme? ⇒ They are heading for the airport. → 他们正前往机场。 Tāmen zhèng qiánwǎng jīchǎng.
head off
( person, vehicle ) 上前拦(攔)住 shàngqián lánzhù
deputy head
( Brit : in school ) 学(學)监(監) xuéjiān
head office
( of company ) 总(總)部 zǒngbù
head teacher
校长(長) xiàozhǎng [ 位 wèi ]
head of state
元首 yuánshǒu
my head is reeling
我头(頭)昏脑(腦)胀(脹) wǒ tóu hūn nǎo zhàng
my head is swimming
我头(頭)晕(暈) wǒ tóuyūn
to hang one's head (in shame)
(羞愧得)低下头(頭) (xiūkuì de) dīxià tóu
to keep one's head
保持镇(鎮)定 bǎochí zhèndìng
to lose one's head
仓(倉)皇失措 cānghuáng shīcuò
to nod one's head
( to show agreement ) 点(點)头(頭)表示同意 diǎntóu biǎoshì tóngyì
to shake one's head
( in refusal ) 摇(搖)头(頭)拒绝(絕) yáotóu jùjué
to toss one's head
一摆(擺)头(頭) yī bǎi tóu
it went to his head
( alcohol ) 喝得他晕(暈)头(頭)转(轉)向 hē de tā yūn tóu zhuàn xiàng
( fig ) 神魂颠倒地坠(墜)入(情网(網)) shénhún diāndǎo de zhuìrù (qíngwǎng)
1 (noun)
Definition
the upper or front part of the body that contains the brain, eyes, mouth, nose, and ears
She turned her head away from him.
Synonyms
skull
crown
pate
bean (US, Canadian, slang)
nut (slang)
Kit shot up, hitting his nut on the roof.
loaf (slang)
cranium
conk (slang)
noggin
He's got a lump on his noggin but he'll live.
noddle (informal, mainly British)
2 (noun)
Definition
a person's mind and mental abilities
He was more inclined to use his head.
Synonyms
mind
an excellent training for the young mind
reasoning
understanding
They have to have a basic understanding of computers.
thought
sense
When he was younger he had a bit more sense.
brain
The eye grows independently of the brain.
brains (informal)
intelligence
She's a woman of exceptional intelligence.
wisdom
a woman respected for her wisdom and insight
wits
common sense
loaf (British, informal)
You've got to use your loaf in this game.
intellect
Do the emotions develop in parallel with the intellect?
rationality
grey matter
brainpower
They say ginseng boosts your brainpower.
mental capacity
3 (noun)
Definition
a person's mind and mental abilities
I don't have a head for business.
Synonyms
ability
Her drama teacher spotted her ability.
mind
I'm trying to clear my mind of all this.
talent
Both her children have a talent for music.
capacity
Our capacity for giving care, love and attention is limited.
faculty
a faculty for self-preservation
flair
She has a flair for languages.
mentality
aptitude
He discovered an aptitude for working in accounts.
4 (noun)
Definition
the most forward part of a thing
the head of the queue
Synonyms
front
Stand at the front of the line.
beginning
top
The US will be at the top of the medals table.
first place
fore
no damage in the fore part of the ship
forefront
They are at the forefront of the campaign.
5 (noun)
his familiar position at the head of his field
Synonyms
forefront
cutting edge
vanguard
Students have been in the vanguard of revolutionary change.
van
6 (noun)
Definition
the highest part of a thing
the head of the stairs
Synonyms
top
I came down alone from the top of the mountain.
crown
We stood on the crown of the hill.
summit
the first man to reach the summit of Mount Everest
height
From a height, it looks like a desert.
peak
the snow-covered peaks of the Alps
crest
He reached the crest of the hill.
pinnacle
He had reached the pinnacle of his career.
apex
She led me up a gloomy corridor to the apex of the pyramid.
vertex
the vertex of the triangle
7 (noun)
(informal)
full of admiration for the head and teachers
Synonyms
head teacher
One of the photos must be signed by your head teacher.
principal
the principal of the local high school
headmaster or headmistress
8 (noun)
Definition
the person commanding most authority within a group or an organization
heads of government from more than 100 countries
Synonyms
leader
the leader of the Conservative Party
president
director
He is the director of the unit.
manager
a retired bank manager
chief
The new leader is the deputy chief of the territory's defence force.
boss (informal)
He cannot stand his boss.
captain
He is a former English cricket captain.
master
My master ordered me to deliver the message.
premier
commander
The commander and some of his troops had been released.
principal
the principal of the company
supervisor
a full-time job as a supervisor at a factory
superintendent
superintendent of the bank's East African branches
chieftain
sherang (Australian, New Zealand)
I am in touch with the head sherang at both sites
9 (noun)
Definition
a culmination or crisis
These problems came to a head in September.
Synonyms
climax
Reaching the Olympics was the climax of her career.
crisis
The anxiety that had been building within him reached a crisis.
turning point
The vote marks something of a turning point in the war.
culmination
This week's events are the culmination of a long-running row between the two countries.
end
His big scene comes towards the end of the film.
conclusion
Executives said it was the logical conclusion of the process.
tipping point
10 (noun)
the head of the river
Synonyms
source
This gave me a clue as to the source of the problem.
start
She demanded to know why she had not been told from the start.
beginning
rise
origin
theories about the origin of life
commencement
All applicants should be at least 16 years of age at the commencement of this course.
well head
11 (noun)
Definition
a headland or promontory
a ship off the beach head
Synonyms
headland
The headland south of Coolum has walking trails.
point
a long point of land reaching southwards into the sea
cape
voyages of exploration round the Cape
promontory
a promontory jutting out into the bay
foreland
12 (noun)
Definition
a headline or heading
Synonyms
heading
There, under the heading of wholesalers, he found it.
class
the relationship between different social classes
department
He worked in the sales department.
subject
It was I who first raised the subject of moving to Canada.
division
the sales division
section
She was in the dairy section of the supermarket.
branch
He had a fascination for submarines and joined this branch of the service.
category
The entries were organised into six different categories.
topic
They offer tips on topics such as home safety.
(adjective)
I had the head man out from the gas company.
Synonyms
chief
Financial stress is acknowledged as a chief reason for divorce.
The job went to one of his chief rivals.
main
My main concern now is to protect the children.
leading
Britain's future as a leading industrial nation depends on investment.
first
The first priority for development is to defeat inflation.
highest
front
He is the front runner for the star role.
prime
Political stability is a prime concern.
premier
the country's premier opera company
supreme
He proposes to make himself the supreme overlord.
principal
Their principal concern is that of winning the next election.
arch
foremost
He was one of the world's foremost scholars.
pre-eminent
He is the pre-eminent political figure in the country.
topmost
the topmost branches of a gigantic oak tree
1 (verb)
Definition
to be at the front or top of
The parson, heading the procession, had just turned right.
Synonyms
lead
He led him into the house.
precede
Alice preceded them from the room.
be the leader of
be or go first
be or go at the front of
lead the way
2 (verb)
Definition
to be at the front or top of
Running a business heads the list of ambitions among interviewees.
Synonyms
top
What happens if the socialists top the poll?
lead
Tom was leading, a rifle slung over his back.
crown
A rugged castle crowns the cliffs.
cap
home-made scones capped with cream
3 (verb)
Definition
to be in charge of
He heads the department's Office of Civil Rights.
Synonyms
be in charge of
run
His father ran a prosperous business.
manage
Within two years, he was managing the store.
lead
He led the country between 1949 and 1984.
control
He now controls the largest retail development empire in southern California.
You should not let other people control you.
rule
the feudal lord who ruled this land
direct
She will direct day-to-day operations.
guide
She guided the plane down the runway and took off.
command
the French general who commands the UN troops in the region
govern
They go to the polls on Friday to choose the people they want to govern their country.
supervise
One of his jobs was supervising the dining room.
idioms
See do your head in
See from head to foot
See get something into your head
See go over your head
See go to your head
Phrasal verbs
See head for something or someone
See head over heels
See head someone off
See head something off
See head something up
See keep your head
See lose your head
See off your head
See put your heads together
related words
technical namecaput
related adjectivescapitalcephalic
figurative note
The head is the upper or front part of the human body, containing the sensory organs and the brain. Many of its literal or figurative senses refer to a position at the top, at the front, or at the beginning of something. Location is specified in head of the line, meaning at the front; head of the stairs, meaning at the top; and head of the river, meaning at the source. These meanings have been transferred into other fields, with the result that head means leader in the head of state, and the forefront in head of his field. Conversely, head can also mean end or climax when used in the phrase come/bring to a head. In the human body, the head is regarded as the seat of the mind and the intellect, especially when contrasted with the heart, in the phrase ruled by your heart, not your head. In addition, head can describe an ability or a facility, e.g. a head for heights or a head for figures.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of apex
Definition
the highest point
She led me up a gloomy corridor to the apex of the pyramid.
Synonyms
highest point,
point,
top,
tip,
summit,
peak,
crest,
pinnacle,
vertex
in the sense of aptitude
Definition
natural tendency or ability
He discovered an aptitude for working in accounts.