How to pronounce headword
Say it like HED-wurd. Headword has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HED).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce headword. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HED
- wurd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Headword 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.
- wurdKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of headword
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HED-wurd.
What does headword mean?
- A word (or compound term) used as the title of a list entry or section, particularly in a dictionary, encyclopedia, or thesaurus.
- The head of a phrase.“In "a very discerning car shopper", "shopper" is the headword.”
Where does headword come from?
From head + word. Compare West Frisian haadwurd (“noun, substantive, headword”), Dutch hoofdwoord (“headword”), German Hauptwort (“noun, substantive, headword”), Swedish huvudord (“headword, keyword”).
Questions about saying headword
How do you pronounce headword?
Say HED-wurd. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɛdwɝd/. In British English it is /ˈhɛdwɜːd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in headword?
Headword has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HED). Broken into parts: HED · wurd.
Is headword pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈhɛdwɜːd/ (HED-wurd).