head
gb/hˈɛd/ us/hˈɛd/
A1
English
~ 1600
fej, vezető, igazgató, tart, indul, asztalfő, eleje, virágfej
NOUN
A1
1
fej
A1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s head
She nodded her head in agreement.
Egyetértően bólintott a fejével.
He hit his head on the low doorway.
Beütötte a fejét az alacsony ajtónyílásba.
The hat was too small for his head.
She turned her head to look at me.
Learner examples
This is my head.
Ez a fejem.
He has a big head.
Nagy feje van.
She moves her head.
My head hurts.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'head' with 'face'; 'face' refers only to the front part of the head.
Meaning
Top part of the body
Collocations
shake your head
|nod your head
|hit your head
|turn your head
|bow your head
Synonyms
skull (Refers specifically to the bone structure of the head)
Antonyms
foot (Opposite end of the body in vertical orientation)
Themes
anatomy
|daily life
|body
|health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The top part of your body that has your brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.
The upper part of the human body, supported by the neck, which contains the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.
NOUN
A2
2
Usage pattern:
head of [organization/group]
She was appointed head of marketing last year.
Tavaly kinevezték a marketingosztály vezetőjének.
The head of the school welcomed the new students.
Az iskola igazgatója köszöntötte az új diákokat.
He is the head chef at a famous restaurant.
Learner examples
He is the head of the class.
Ő az osztály vezetője.
She is the head teacher.
Ő az iskolaigazgató.
The head of the company is very busy.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'head' with 'boss'; 'boss' is more informal and used mainly in workplace contexts.
Meaning
Leader of a group
Collocations
head teacher
|head chef
|head of state
|department head
Synonyms
chief (Often used in titles or informal speech)
Antonyms
subordinate (A person who is under someone else's authority)
Themes
business
|management
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The person who is the boss or leader of a group or company.
A person who is the leader or in charge of a group, department, or organization.
VERB
A2
3
Usage pattern:
to head [towards/for/to] [place]
We should head home before it gets dark.
Indulnunk kellene haza, mielőtt besötétedik.
They headed north after leaving the city.
Miután elhagyták a várost, észak felé indultak.
She headed straight to the airport.
Learner examples
I will head to the park.
Elindulok a parkba.
We are heading home now.
Most hazafelé tartunk.
They will head to school.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'go' when 'head' would be more natural for emphasizing direction.
Meaning
Move toward a place
Collocations
head home
|head north
|head for trouble
Synonyms
go (More general; does not imply direction as clearly)
Antonyms
stay (To remain in place instead of moving)
Themes
travel
|daily life
|transportation
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To go towards a place.
To move or travel in a particular direction or toward a specific place.
NOUN
A2
4
Usage pattern:
the head of [object/thing]
He sat at the head of the table.
Az asztalfőn ült.
The bed's head faces the window.
Az ágy feje az ablak felé néz.
We waited at the head of the line.
Learner examples
She is at the head of the line.
A sor elején áll.
He sits at the head of the table.
Az asztalfőn ül.
The bed has a soft head.
Meaning
Front/top part of something
Collocations
head of the table
|head of the bed
|head of the line
Synonyms
front (Refers specifically to forward-facing position)
Antonyms
end (The opposite extremity from the front or top)
Themes
objects
|navigation
|core_vocabulary
|space
Definition
The front or top part of something.
The most important, front, or top part of an object or thing.
NOUN
B1
5
Cut off the dead flower heads to encourage growth.
Vágd le az elnyílt virágfejeket, hogy serkentsd a növekedést.
We bought a fresh head of lettuce.
Vettünk egy friss fej salátát.
The sunflower's head was heavy with seeds.
Learner examples
This is a head of lettuce.
Ez egy fej saláta.
The flower has a big head.
A virágnak nagy virágfeje van.
Cut off the old heads.
Meaning
Top part of a plant/flower cluster
Collocations
head of lettuce
|flower head
Synonyms
bloom (Refers specifically to a single flower)
Themes
plants
|nature
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The top part of a plant where flowers or seeds grow.
The top part of a plant, especially where flowers or seeds grow together in a cluster.
Grammar
Dictionary form
head
IPA
GB/hˈɛd/
US/hˈɛd/
Syllables & stress
head (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (head)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: head
- Plural: heads
Verb
- Base: head
- 3rd Person Singular: heads
- Present Participle: heading
- Past: headed
Word family
Expressions
bring to a head
1/bɹˈɪŋ tə ə hˈɛd/
idiom
Make situation reach crisis point
To make a problem reach a point where it must be solved right away.
Examples
- The strike brought tensions to a head.
- Their constant arguing finally brought things to a head.
head off
1/hˈɛd ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
Prevent something from happening
To stop something from happening by acting early.
Examples
- The police headed off trouble by making arrests early.
- We tried to head off any misunderstandings by explaining clearly.
keep your head down
1/kˈip jˈʊɹ hˈɛd dˈaʊn/
idiom
informal
Avoid attention or trouble by staying unnoticed
To stay quiet and not be noticed so you don't get into trouble.
Examples
- He's keeping his head down until the argument blows over.
- You'd better keep your head down at work after that mistake.
lose your head
1/lˈuz jˈʊɹ hˈɛd/
idiom
informal
Panic and stop thinking clearly
To not think clearly because you are very angry, scared, or excited.
Examples
- Stay calm and don't lose your head in an emergency.
- He lost his head when he heard the bad news.
off the top of your head
1/ˈɔf ðə tˈɑp əv jˈʊɹ hˈɛd/
idiom
informal
Without careful thought or checking facts
Saying something quickly without thinking much or checking if it is correct.
Examples
- Off the top of my head, I'd say there are about 50 people in our department.
- I can't remember her number off the top of my head.