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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  • Repeat the pronunciation?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "head"?

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:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you struggling with a specific way of using "head" that you've encountered?
  • Is there a particular sentence you're trying to understand where "head" is used?

Synonyms for the word head

Practice with vocabulary head

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. As the project ____, Sarah was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the development cycle.
  2. After the meeting, the delegates will ____ to the main conference hall for the keynote speech.
  3. The CEO appointed a new ____ of operations to streamline departmental workflows.
  4. The committee decided to prioritize the most pressing issues and put other matters on the back ____ for future discussion.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which word can be used to describe leading a department or steering a ship towards a destination? a) oversee b) head c) manage d) guide

  2. In an organizational chart, the person ultimately responsible for a division is often referred to as the ____. a) chief b) head c) manager d) principal

  3. When a situation becomes very difficult and intense, it is often said to ____. a) reach its peak b) come to a head c) escalate d) boil over

  4. What word best describes the primary or most important component of a system or argument? a) core b) element c) principal d) central

  5. To initiate a formal discussion or process is to ____ it. a) commence b) initiate c) embark on d) inaugurate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The marketing director is responsible for the entire department's strategy. (Rewrite using "head" or a related form)
  2. After the conference, the team will proceed towards the innovation lab. (Rewrite using "head" or a related form)
  3. The leader of the research group presented their findings to the board. (Rewrite without using "head" or any related forms)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. head
  2. head
  3. director
  4. burner

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) head, c) manage, d) guide
  2. a) chief, b) head, c) manager, d) principal
  3. b) come to a head
  4. a) core, c) principal, d) central
  5. a) commence, b) initiate, c) embark on, d) inaugurate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The marketing director heads the entire department's strategy.
  2. After the conference, the team will head towards the innovation lab.
  3. The chief of the research group presented their findings to the board.

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