# headed

/ˈhɛdəd/ (US) · /hˈɛdɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/headed
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. going in a direction

adjective · CEFR A2

going or moving toward a specific place.

For teachers: 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'.

### 2. character or physical traits

adjective · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. paper with a header

adjective · CEFR B2 · Formal

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

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- We are headed home after a long day.
- The tourists were headed toward the museum when it started to rain.
- The captain confirmed that the ship was headed south to avoid the approaching storm, ensuring the safety of the crew and cargo.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.