Definition of HEADWORD

headword

Meanings

Plural: headwords

Noun

  • a content word that can be qualified by a modifier
  • a word placed at the beginning of a line or paragraph (as in a dictionary entry)
  • 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.

Origin / Etymology

From head + word. Compare West Frisian haadwurd (“noun, substantive, headword”), Dutch hoofdwoord (“headword”), German Hauptwort (“noun, substantive, headword”), Swedish huvudord (“headword, keyword”).

Synonyms

head word

Scrabble Score: 16

headword is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
headword is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
headword is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 15

headword is a valid Words With Friends word