Word
pinhead
Phoneticspin·head
US/ˈpɪnˌhɛd/
UK/pˈɪnhɛd/
Countable noun
Definition
n. the very small, flat top of a pin. It is also a rude name for someone you think is very stupid or behaves in a silly way.
n. the flattened head of a pin; figuratively, a person perceived as exceptionally foolish or dim-witted. Often used as a derogatory epithet in informal contexts.
Examples
“He is such a pinhead for forgetting his keys again.”
“The tailor struggled to pick up the tiny pinhead from the thick carpet.”
“Philosophers once debated how many angels could dance on a pinhead, a question now used to mock useless academic hair-splitting.”
Examples
simple
“He is such a pinhead for forgetting his keys again.”
contextual
“The tailor struggled to pick up the tiny pinhead from the thick carpet.”
complex
“Philosophers once debated how many angels could dance on a pinhead, a question now used to mock useless academic hair-splitting.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “pinhead” in context.
Verb
01. call pinhead
“Don't call him a pinhead just because he made one mistake.”
verb + noun
02. pinhead glints
“The silver pinhead glints when it catches the light.”
noun + verb
03. resemble pinhead
“Under the microscope, the spores resemble a shiny pinhead.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. absolute pinhead
“He is an absolute pinhead for forgetting his passport twice.”
adj + noun
05. tiny pinhead
“The microchip was no larger than a tiny pinhead.”
adj + noun
06. total pinhead
“I felt like a total pinhead after realizing I was in the wrong meeting.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. size of pinhead
“The sensors are roughly the size of a pinhead.”
noun + prep + noun
08. be a complete pinhead
“Stop being a complete pinhead and listen to the instructions.”
09. dance on a pinhead
“The philosophers spent hours debating how many angels could dance on a pinhead.”
10. no bigger than a pinhead
“The insect's eggs were no bigger than a pinhead.”
Usage
Informal and insulting when applied to a person.
Real-World Examples
“The piece of anti-Elon Musk graffiti that had echoes of the past, with a message declaring “Elon is a pinhead” and appeared at the same Erie Boulevard site where the tag “Susan is a pinhead” became part of city lore more than four decades ago has been painted over.” “I don’t believe this pinhead for a moment who says he didn’t see the product before it went on,” he said as my photo was displayed on the screen.” Etymology
From pin + head.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Domain
- 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.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL 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: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Rare
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/pinhead