What is head? Pronunciation and usage in English

head means . Learn how to pronounce and use head through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of head

headnoun/verb

/hɛd/
Definition & pronunciation of head

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "head" in English. There are actually two main pronunciations, depending on where you are in the United States and Canada:

1. General American (most common in the US):

  • Pronunciation: /ˈhɛd/ (stress on the first syllable)
  • Phonetics: The sound is like the "e" in "bed" or "red." It's a short, open "e" sound.
  • Breakdown:
    • h - as in "hat"
    • e - as in "bed" or "red"
    • d - as in "dog"

2. Canadian English:

  • Pronunciation: /hɛd/ (stress on the first syllable - very similar to General American)
  • Phonetics: Very close to the General American pronunciation. Sometimes, it can sound slightly broader, like the "e" is a bit more open.
  • Important Note: In Canada, people are often aware of and distinguish between the American and Canadian pronunciations.

Resources to help you hear the difference:

Key takeaway: In most situations, saying /ˈhɛd/ will be perfectly understood in the United States and Canada.

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Usage and examples with the word head in English

Let's break down how to use the word "head" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with many different meanings and functions! Here's a comprehensive breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Body Part (Most Common)

  • Definition: The top part of the human body, connecting to the neck.
  • Examples:
    • "I have a headache."
    • "She tucked her hair back under her head."
    • "He put his head on the table."
    • "The doctor examined my head."

2. As a Verb – To Lead or Be in Charge

  • Definition: To be the leader of something; to direct or control.
  • Examples:
    • "She’s the head of the department." (She leads the department.)
    • “He headed the committee.” (He was in charge of the committee.)
    • "The company is headed for bankruptcy." (The company is likely to go bankrupt.)
    • "He headed south on the highway." (He drove south.) - This usage is about direction.

3. As a Noun – The Leader (Same meaning as the verb)

  • Definition: The person who leads something.
  • Examples:
    • “The head teacher is very strict.”
    • “The head of the organization is retiring.”

4. As a Noun – The Top of Something

  • Definition: The uppermost part of something; the top.
  • Examples:
    • "The head of the mountain."
    • "The head of the table."
    • "The head of the list."
    • "He banged his head on the doorframe."

5. As a Verb – To Strike Your Head

  • Definition: To hit your head against something.
  • Examples:
    • "He accidentally headed the ball during the game." (He kicked the ball with his head.)
    • "She headed a brick wall." (She hit her head against it.)

6. Figurative Meanings (More Advanced)

  • Headstrong: (Adjective) Stubborn and determined. “He’s a headstrong boy who doesn’t listen to his parents.”
  • Head over heels: (Idiom) Deeply in love. “They fell head over heels for each other.”
  • Head honcho: (Informal) The most important or powerful person in an organization. “He’s the head honcho at the company.”
  • Head start: (Noun) An advantage or lead over others. “The company got a head start on their competitors.”
  • Head up: (Phrasal Verb) To be in charge of something, similar to “head.” “She will head up the new project.”

7. Other Less Common Usages

  • Head (a river): The source or beginning of a river.
  • Head (a group of animals): The leading animal in a group. (e.g., "The head cow led the herd.")

Tips for Using “Head” Correctly:

  • Context is key: The meaning of “head” changes dramatically depending on the sentence. Pay careful attention to the surrounding words.
  • Commonly confused with "headache": Remember that "head" as a body part is different from "headache," which is a pain.
  • Phrasal verbs: Be aware of phrasal verbs like “head for” which have unique meanings.

Resources for Further Learning:

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Synonyms for the word head

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