English Reference
adjective

headed

adj.
US /ˈhɛdəd/ UK /hˈɛdɪd/ head·ed

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    going or moving toward a specific place.

    travelling or moving in a specified direction; often used with 'for' or 'towards'.

    Simple

    We were headed for the beach when it started to rain.

    In context

    The hikers were headed towards the summit, unaware that a severe weather front was approaching from the north.

    Usage

    Commonly follows the verb 'to be' and takes the preposition 'for' or 'towards'.

  2. 02 B1 Intermediate

    used with another word to describe someone's personality or hair.

    used in combination to describe a person's mental state, character, or physical head characteristics.

    Simple

    He is a very level-headed person who never panics in an emergency.

    In context

    The red-headed boy sat quietly in the corner, contrasting sharply with his more boisterous, dark-haired siblings.

    Usage

    Always used as the second part of a hyphenated compound adjective.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    paper that has a name and address already printed at the top.

    referring to stationery or documents featuring a pre-printed letterhead containing contact information.

    Simple

    Please write the official invitation on headed paper.

    In context

    The legal notice arrived on formal headed stationery, bearing the embossed seal of the city's oldest law firm.

    Usage

    Primarily used in British English; American English speakers typically prefer 'letterhead'.

    letterhead

Usage headed home


Etymology 1

From head (“noun”) + -ed.

Etymology 2

See head (verb).

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

This entry
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Common
Updated