English Reference
Noun

figurehead

n. countable
C1 Advanced US /ˈfɪɡjɝˌhɛd/ UK /fˈɪɡəhˌɛd/ fig·ure·head UK spelling figureheads Nautical

n.a person who is the official leader of a group but does not have any real power. They are often chosen for their name or looks rather than their skills.

n.a person who serves as a nominal or titular head of an organization, lacking actual authority or influence. Often used to describe a symbolic leader in a political or corporate context.


SIMPLE

The president is just a figurehead for the real power.

CONTEXTUAL

After the merger, the former CEO became a figurehead, while the new board made all the important decisions.

COMPLEX

While the monarch remains a respected figurehead for the nation, the actual legislative power resides entirely within the elected parliament.

He then became a global superstar twice over as the figurehead for the US’s most high-profile anti-drugs campaign.

The Guardian· 3 Sept 2026

From figure + head.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated