-head

suffix

Used to create nouns indicating a state; -hood.

“pot + -head → pothead”

OriginProto-Germanic *haiduz ← Proto-Indo-European *keyt- →
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Meanings

-head1

suffix-head (noun-forming suffix, uncountable)
  1. uncountableUsed to create nouns indicating a state; -hood.

-head2

suffix-head (noun-forming suffix, plural -heads)

plural -heads

  1. derogatorysometimesUsed to form words for people who regularly have their mind focused upon a particular subject, activity, or a specified drug or other substance, or who are addicted in some way.

    pot + -head → pothead

    1 more example

    motor + -head → motorhead

  2. Used to form words to describe people who are dedicated fans of something, especially music.

    jazz + -head → jazzhead

    2 more examples

    metal + -head → metalhead

    Beatle + -head → Beatlehead

  3. derogatoryUsed with other words to form generic insults or epithets to indicate stupidity.

    shit + -head → shithead

    2 more examples

    block + -head → blockhead

    geek + -head → geekhead

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
-hood-wad

Origin

-head · suffix

  1. Proto-Indo-European*keyt-
  2. Proto-Germanic*haiduz
  3. English-head

From Middle English -hed, -hede, attested from the 12th century, continuing a hypothetical Old English *-hǣdu (“-hood”), from Proto-Germanic *haidį̄ (“state, condition”), related to Proto-Germanic *haiduz (“manner, character, quality, state”). Doublet of -hood, which see.

More words from Middle English, Old English, Proto-Germanic

Full word history & related roots →

-head · suffix

  1. Proto-Indo-European*kap-?
  2. Proto-Indo-European*kap-
  3. Proto-Indo-European*káput
  4. Proto-Germanic*haubudą
  5. Old Englishhēafod
  6. Middle Englishheed
  7. Englishhead
  8. English-head

Combining form of head (noun).

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

-head. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/-head

MLA

“-head.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/-head. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “-head,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/-head.

Source: -head on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.