Meaning & use
headdress
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Meanings
nouncountable
A decorative covering or band worn on the head, especially for ceremonies or traditional dress.
Grammar: Countable: a headdress, two headdresses. Often used with 'wear' or 'put on'.
Patterns
- wear a headdress
- a traditional headdress
- a ceremonial headdress
The bride wore a beautiful headdress decorated with pearls.
At the festival, dancers put on colorful headdresses.
nouncountablebiology
The feathers, horns, or other natural features on an animal's head.
Grammar: Used especially in biology: The male's headdress of bright feathers attracts mates.
Patterns
- an animal's headdress
- a headdress of feathers
The peacock's headdress is made of long, shiny feathers.
Some birds have a striking headdress used to attract a mate.
Word forms
| plural | headdresses |
|---|
Common combinations
- traditional headdress
- She wore a traditional headdress for the wedding.
- ceremonial headdress
- The chief put on his ceremonial headdress.
- feathered headdress
- The dancer wore a feathered headdress.
Synonyms and how they differ
- hat
- A general word for a covering for the head; a headdress is usually more decorative and symbolic.
- tiara
- A jeweled band worn by women on formal occasions; a headdress is broader and can be made of many materials.
- crown
- A circular ornament worn by a king or queen; a headdress is not necessarily a symbol of royalty.
Word family
Commonly confused: headdress or headband?
headdress vs headband
A strip of fabric worn around the head, often to keep hair back; a headdress is more elaborate and ceremonial.
Practice
Which word best completes the sentence? 'The tribal chief wore a magnificent ____ made of eagle feathers.'
Choose one answer.
'Headdress' fits because it describes a decorative, ceremonial covering made of feathers. A 'headband' is simpler, a 'hat' is ordinary, and a 'helmet' is for protection.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “headdress”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.