Wordiyohead
Old EnglishVariants
Related Roots
About This Root
From Old English hēafod (head, top, chief), cognate with German Haupt. As a compound element, it denotes leadership (headmaster, headquarters), direction (ahead, headlong, headway), and position (headline, overhead). Figurative extensions like levelheaded and headstrong show how 'head' came to represent judgment and character.
Associated Words
ahead
At or towards the front; in the direction one is facing or moving
head
the upper body part with the brain; the person in charge; to lead
headache
A pain in the head; an annoying problem
heading
A title at the top of a document or section; a direction of travel
headline
The title of a news article; to be the top attraction
headlong
Rushing forward recklessly, head first
headmaster
A male school principal
headquarters
The main office or command center of an organization
headstrong
Stubbornly determined to have one's own way
headteacher
The senior teacher who manages a school
headway
Progress or forward movement toward a goal
levelheaded
Calm and sensible; showing good judgment
overhead
Above one's head; ongoing business expenses not tied to production
pinhead
The head of a pin; something tiny; a foolish person