How to pronounce head
Say it like HED. Head is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- HED
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Head pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HEDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of head
American and British speakers say head in essentially the same way: /hɛd/ in the US and /hɛd/ in the UK.
British respelling: HED.
What does head mean?
- The part of the body of an animal or human which contains the brain, mouth, and main sense organs.“Be careful when you pet that dog on the head; it may bite.”
- Mental or emotional aptitude or skill.“The company is looking for people with good heads for business.”
- Mind; one's own thoughts.“This song keeps going through my head.”
- Of, relating to, or intended for the head.
- To be in command of. (See also head up.)“Who heads the board of trustees?”
- To come at the beginning or front of; to commence.“A group of clowns headed the procession.”
- To strike with the head“to head the ball”
Where does head come from?
Cognate with Scots heid (“head”), Yola haade, hade, heade (“head”), North Frisian Haur, hood (“head”), Saterland Frisian Haud, Hööft (“head”), West Frisian haad (“head”), Alemannic German Haupt (“head”), Dutch hoofd (“head”), German Haupt,
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with head
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of head.
Questions about saying head
How do you pronounce head?
Say HED. The American pronunciation is /hɛd/. In British English it is /hɛd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in head?
Head is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: HED.
Do Americans and Brits say head the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /hɛd/ and the British form is /hɛd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.