Word
headed
Phoneticshead·ed, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhɛdəd/
UK/hˈɛdɪd/
Definitions
01going in a direction
A2 · Elementary
adj. going or moving toward a specific place.
adj. travelling or moving in a specified direction; often used with 'for' or 'towards'.
“We were headed for the beach when it started to rain.”
“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'.
02character or physical traits
B1 · Intermediate
adj. used with another word to describe someone's personality or hair.
adj. used in combination to describe a person's mental state, character, or physical head characteristics.
“He is a very level-headed person who never panics in an emergency.”
“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.
03paper with a header
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
adj. paper that has a name and address already printed at the top.
adj. referring to stationery or documents featuring a pre-printed letterhead containing contact information.
“Please write the official invitation on headed paper.”
“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'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “headed” in context.
Etymology
From head (“noun”) + -ed.
See head (verb).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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