head

noun

UK /hed/

Word Forms

singular	head
plural	heads

1
countable the top part of your body that has your brain, eyes, mouth etc in it
a bruise on the side of her head
Synonyms and related words
The head
bonce
cranial
cranium
Collocates
Verbs frequently used with head as the object
▪ bend, bow, cock, duck, incline, lift, lower, nod, shake, tilt, toss, turn
2
countable your mind and thoughts
A thought suddenly came into my head.
I don’t want to put any ideas into your head.
in/inside your head:
He did the sums quickly in his head.
She did not speak the words, but instead whispered them inside her head.
Synonyms and related words
Thoughts, ideas and beliefs
thought
idea
belief
Synonyms and related words
General words for psychology and psychoanalysis
ambivert
analyse
analysis
3
countable the leader or most important person in a group
The ceremony was attended by heads of government from eleven countries.
Synonyms and related words
General words for leaders and bosses
amakhosi
autocrat
boss
1. 3a
  educationBritishthe teacher in charge of a school. The American word is principal.
  Synonyms and related words
  Teachers and principals
  class teacher
  coach
  educator
2. 3b
  only before nounused for describing the most important person in a particular organization, group etc
  the head waiter
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for leaders and bosses
  amakhosi
  autocrat
  boss
4
countable the top or front part of something
head of:
We walked straight to the head of the queue.
Synonyms and related words
The outer parts of objects or spaces
apex
back
back end
1. 4a
  the end of a bed where you put your head
  Synonyms and related words
  Beds and parts of beds
  air bed
  bassinet
  bed
2. 4b
  the end of a table where the most important person sits
  Synonyms and related words
  Parts of pieces of furniture
  caster
  castor
  drawer
3. 4c
  the top part of a long thin object such as a nail, that is a different shape from or wider than the rest of it
  Synonyms and related words
  Nuts, bolts, screws and nails
  bolt
  butterfly nut
  dowel
5
countable linguisticsthe most important word in a noun group, adjective group or verb group. For example in the noun group ‘a very silly mistake’, ‘mistake’ is the head, and in the adjective group ‘deeply asleep’, ‘asleep’ is the head.
Synonyms and related words
Types and forms of word, clause or sentence
accusative
adjunct
allomorph
6
uncountable the white bubbles on the top of a glass of beer
Synonyms and related words
Brewing, storing and serving drinks
brew
brewer
brewery
7
countable the beginning of a river, where the water comes from
Synonyms and related words
Parts of lakes, rivers and streams
backwater
bayou
bed
8
countable the top of a drum
Synonyms and related words
Parts of musical instruments
bellows
bow
bridge
9
plural used as a way of counting farm animals
300 head of cattle
Synonyms and related words
Animal farming
brand
brand
cattle prod
10
countable the white centre of a spot on your skin
Synonyms and related words
Skin problems, swellings and injuries
abrasion
abscess
athlete’s foot
11

heads
plural the side of a coin that has a picture of a head on it. The other side is tails
I’ll toss a coin. You choose heads or tails.
Synonyms and related words
General words for money, cash and coins
banknote
bill
bread
12
two heads are better than one
it’s way better to have two people trying to find a solution
Please help me plan my work. Two heads are better than one.
Submitted by:
Emran Khoshrouye Ghiasi from Iran, Islamic Republic of on 17/12/2018
Open Dictionary - December2018
13
get/put your head down
to go to sleepSubmitted by:
Caleb Judy from United States on 10/07/2017
Open Dictionary - July2017
14
want sb’s head on a plate/platter
if you want an individual’s head on a plate you are annoyed with them and want them to endure a punishment
The manager was antagonised by Ben and wanted his head on a plate.
Submitted from:
Ireland on 08/07/2015
Open Dictionary - July2015

phrases

a/per head

bang/knock/hit (someone’s) heads together

be/get in over your head

be off your head

be out of your head

cannot make head nor/or tail of something

a clear head

come/bring something to a head

do someone’s head in

from head to toe

get up/build up/work up a head of steam

get it into/through your head (that)

get someone/something out of your head

get/take it into your head to do something

get your head round something

give someone head

give someone their head

go over someone’s head

go to someone’s head

have a big/swollen head

have a (good) head for heights

have a (good) head for figures/business etc

have a good head on your shoulders

have your head in the clouds

have your head (screwed) on right

head and shoulders above the rest/others

head of hair

head over heels

heads up

heads will roll

keep your head above water

keep your head down

laugh/shout/scream your head off

like banging/hitting your head against a brick wall

need your head examined

on your (own) head be it

put something out of your head

put your heads together

stand/turn something on its head

head

noun

US /hed/

Word Forms

singular	head
plural	heads

1
countable the top part of your body that has your brain, eyes, mouth, etc. in it
a bruise on the side of her head
Synonyms and related words
The head
bean
bonce
cranial
Collocates
Verbs frequently used with head as the object
▪ bend, bow, cock, duck, incline, lift, lower, nod, shake, tilt, toss, turn
2
countable your mind and thoughts
A thought suddenly came into my head.
I don’t want to put any ideas into your head.
in/inside your head:
He added the numbers quickly in his head.
She did not speak the words, but she repeated them inside her head.
Synonyms and related words
Thoughts, ideas and beliefs
thought
idea
belief
Synonyms and related words
General words for psychology and psychoanalysis
ambivert
analyse
analysis
3
countable the leader or most important person in a group
The ceremony was attended by the heads of government from eleven countries.
Synonyms and related words
General words for leaders and bosses
amakhosi
autocrat
boss
1. 3a
  only before nounused for describing the most important person in a particular organization, group, etc.
  the head waiter
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for leaders and bosses
  amakhosi
  autocrat
  boss
2. 3b
  educationBritishthe principal of a school
  Synonyms and related words
  Teachers and principals
  coach
  educator
  faculty
4
countable the top or front part of something
head of:
We walked straight to the head of the line.
Synonyms and related words
The outer parts of objects or spaces
apex
back
back end
1. 4a
  the end of a bed where you put your head
  Synonyms and related words
  Beds and parts of beds
  air bed
  bassinet
  bed
2. 4b
  the end of a table where the most important person sits
  Synonyms and related words
  Parts of pieces of furniture
  caster
  castor
  drawer
3. 4c
  the top part of a long thin object such as a nail, that is a different shape from or wider than the rest of it
  Synonyms and related words
  Nuts, bolts, screws and nails
  bolt
  butterfly nut
  dowel
5
countable linguisticsthe most important word in a noun group, adjective group or verb group. For example in the noun group ‘a very silly mistake’, ‘mistake’ is the head, and in the adjective group ‘deeply asleep’, ‘asleep’ is the head.
Synonyms and related words
Types and forms of word, clause or sentence
accusative
adjunct
allomorph
6
uncountable the white bubbles on the top of a glass of beer
Synonyms and related words
Brewing, storing and serving drinks
brew
brewer
brewery
7
countable the beginning of a river, where the water comes from
Synonyms and related words
Parts of lakes, rivers and streams
backwater
bayou
bed
8
countable the top of a drum
Synonyms and related words
Parts of musical instruments
bellows
bow
bridge
9
countable the white center of a pimple on your skin
Synonyms and related words
Skin problems, swellings and injuries
abrasion
abscess
athlete’s foot
10
plural used as a way of counting farm animals
300 head of cattle
Synonyms and related words
Animal farming
brand
brand
cattle prod
11

heads
plural the side of a coin that has a picture of a head on it. The other side is tails
I’ll toss a coin. You call heads or tails.
Synonyms and related words
General words for money, cash and coins
banknote
bill
bread
12
two heads are better than one
it’s way better to have two people trying to find a solution
Please help me plan my work. Two heads are better than one.
Submitted by:
Emran Khoshrouye Ghiasi from Iran, Islamic Republic of on 17/12/2018
Open Dictionary - December2018
13
get/put your head down
to go to sleepSubmitted by:
Caleb Judy from United States on 10/07/2017
Open Dictionary - July2017
14
want sb’s head on a plate/platter
if you want an individual’s head on a plate you are annoyed with them and want them to endure a punishment
The manager was antagonised by Ben and wanted his head on a plate.
Submitted from:
Ireland on 08/07/2015
Open Dictionary - July2015

phrases

a/per head

be/get in over your head

be off your head

be out of your head

cannot make head(s) nor/or tail(s) of something

a clear head

come/bring something to a head

do someone’s head in

from head to toe

get up/build up/work up a head of steam

get it into/through your head (that)

get something into your head

get someone/something out of your head

get your head around something

give someone head

go over someone’s head

go to someone’s head

have a big head

have a (good) head for figures/business etc.

have a good head on your shoulders

have your head in the clouds

have your head (screwed) on straight

head and shoulders above the rest/others

head of hair

head over heels

heads up

heads will roll

keep your head above water

knock (someone’s) heads together

laugh/shout/scream your head off

like banging/hitting your head against a brick wall

need your head examined

on your (own) head

put something out of your head

put your heads together

stand/turn something on its head

head

verb

UK /hed/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	head
he/she/it	heads
present participle	heading
past tense	headed
past participle	headed

1
intransitive to go in a particular direction
be headed:
Where are you headed?
head for/towards/through etc:
We decided to head for home.
She headed towards the library.
head north/south/east/west:
They headed north, across the desert.
Synonyms and related words
To go somewhere, or to move in a particular direction
head
go
progress
2

head
or
head up
transitive to be in control of a group or an organization
Lord Justice Scott will head the inquiry.
You will work with the management team headed by Miles Broughton.
Synonyms and related words
To be in charge
control
govern
watch over
3
transitive to be at the top of a list
London heads the list of the most popular tourist cities.
Synonyms and related words
To be in a particular position or place
occupy
set
exist
4
transitive to be at the front of a line of people
The mayor will head the procession through the town centre.
Synonyms and related words
To wait in a queue
queue
line up
push in
5
transitive usually passiveto put a title at the top of a piece of writing
The information sheet was headed ‘Medical Insurance’.
Synonyms and related words
To write information on a document
address
annotate
backdate
6
transitive to hit the ball with your head in the game of football
Synonyms and related words
To kick or hit a ball in a game or sport
strike at
kick
play

phrases

be heading/headed for something

phrasal verbs

head off

head up

head

verb

US /hed/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	head
he/she/it	heads
present participle	heading
past tense	headed
past participle	headed

1
intransitive to go in a particular direction
head for/toward/through etc.:
We decided to head for home.
She was headed toward the library.
head north/south/east/west:
They headed north, across the desert.
be headed:
Where are you headed?
Synonyms and related words
To go somewhere, or to move in a particular direction
head
go
progress
2

head
or
head up
transitive to be in control of a group or an organization
Detective Tim Reynolds will head the investigation.
You will work with the management team headed by Mary Broughton.
Synonyms and related words
To be in charge
control
govern
watch over
3
transitive to be at the top of a list
Which city heads the list of the most popular tourist destinations?
Synonyms and related words
To be in a particular position or place
occupy
set
exist
4
transitive to be at the front of a line of people
The mayor will head the procession through the downtown area.
Synonyms and related words
To wait in a queue
line up
queue
cut
5
transitive usually passiveto put a title at the top of a piece of writing
The information sheet was headed “Medical Insurance.”
Synonyms and related words
To write information on a document
address
annotate
backdate
6
transitive to hit the ball with your head in the game of soccer
Synonyms and related words
To kick or hit a ball in a game or sport
strike at
kick
play

phrases

be heading/headed for something

phrasal verbs

head off

head up

head ​‌‌‌

heads

two heads are better than one

get/put your head down

want sb’s head on a plate/platter

head ​‌‌‌

heads

two heads are better than one

get/put your head down

want sb’s head on a plate/platter

head ​‌‌‌

head

head up

head ​‌‌‌

head

head up

head

head

head

head