Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

headlong

/ˈhɛd.lɔŋ/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.72 in modern English

Syllables
head-long
IPA
/ˈhɛd.lɔŋ/
13
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
2
Syllables
8
Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

With the head first or down.

adj

Rushing forward without restraint.

verb

To precipitate.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle English hedlong, alteration of hedling, heedling, hevedlynge (“headlong”), assimilated to long. More at headling.

Origin

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈhɛd.lɔŋ/
  • British English: /ˈhɛd.lɒŋ/

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Questions

How do you pronounce headlong?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈhɛd.lɔŋ/.
What does headlong mean?
With the head first or down.
Where does headlong come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce headlong

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “headlong”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈhɛd.lɔŋ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “headlong”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “headlong” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.