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Meaning & use

hot-headed

adjective·Everydaydisapproving

Last updated

UK/ˌhɒt ˈhɛdɪd/
US/ˌhɑːt ˈhɛdɪd/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meaning

  1. adjectivecomparabledisapproving

    Quick to get angry and likely to act rashly without thinking about the consequences.

    Grammar: Used before a noun or after be: a hot-headed driver; he is hot-headed.

    Patterns

    • a hot-headed person
    • be hot-headed

    The hot-headed striker was sent off for shoving a referee.

    My hot-headed brother quit his job after one argument.

    Cooler heads prevailed over the hot-headed members of the committee.

Word forms

comparativemore hot-headed
superlativemost hot-headed

Common combinations

hot-headed youth
A hot-headed youth threw the first punch.
hot-headed decision
Selling the house was a hot-headed decision he later regretted.
hot-headed reaction
Her hot-headed reaction made the dispute worse.
hot-headed leader
A hot-headed leader may lead the country into needless conflict.
a bit hot-headed
He is a bit hot-headed but kind underneath.

Synonyms and how they differ

quick-tempered
Quick-tempered focuses on how fast someone gets angry, while hot-headed also stresses reckless action.
impulsive
Impulsive means acting without thinking and need not involve anger.
fiery
Fiery can be admiring, describing passion, whereas hot-headed is mostly critical.
rash
Rash describes a single careless act or person, but lacks the angry temper of hot-headed.

Opposites

level-headedcalm

Word family

hot-headedness noun
the quality of being quick to anger
hothead noun
a person who is hot-headed
level-headed adjective
calm and sensible
cool-headed adjective
calm under pressure

Commonly confused: hot-headed or headstrong?

hot-headed vs headstrong

Headstrong means stubborn and determined to do things your own way. Hot-headed means quick to anger and act rashly.

Practice

Which word is the best opposite of hot-headed?

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