How to pronounce deadhead
Say it like DED-hed. Deadhead has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DED).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce deadhead. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DED
- hed
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Deadhead pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DEDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- hedGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of deadhead
American and British speakers say deadhead in essentially the same way: /ˈdɛdˌhɛd/ in the US and /ˈdɛdˌhɛd/ in the UK.
British respelling: DED-hed.
What does deadhead mean?
- A person either admitted to a theatrical or musical performance without charge, or paid to attend.
- An employee of a transport company, especially a pilot or flight attendant, traveling as a passenger for logistical reasons, for example to return home or travel to the next assignment.
- Anyone traveling for free, without paying the expected fare.
- To admit to a performance without charge.
- To travel as a deadhead, or non-paying passenger.
- To drive an empty vehicle.
Where does deadhead come from?
From dead + head. Some senses are derived from theater jargon (originally spelled dead head) for audience members admitted without paying, which probably arose in analogy to dead weight or deadwood in reference to their lack of contribution
Words that rhyme with deadhead
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of deadhead.
Questions about saying deadhead
How do you pronounce deadhead?
Say DED-hed. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɛdˌhɛd/. In British English it is /ˈdɛdˌhɛd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in deadhead?
Deadhead has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DED). Broken into parts: DED · hed.
Do Americans and Brits say deadhead the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdɛdˌhɛd/ and the British form is /ˈdɛdˌhɛd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.