headlong

American  

[hed-lawng, -long] / ˈhɛdˌlɔŋ, -ˌlɒŋ /

adverb

1. with the head foremost; headfirst.

   to plunge headlong into the water.

2. without delay; hastily.

   to plunge headlong into work.

3. without deliberation; rashly.

   to rush headlong into battle.

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adjective

1. undertaken quickly and suddenly; made precipitately; hasty.

   a headlong flight.

2. rash; impetuous.

   a headlong denunciation.

3. done or going with the head foremost.

   a headlong dive into the pool.

headlong British  

/ ˈhɛdˌlɒŋ /

adverb

1. with the head foremost; headfirst

2. with great haste

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adjective

1. archaic  (of slopes, etc) very steep; precipitous

Other Word Forms

• headlongness noun

Etymology

Origin of headlong

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English hedlong, earlier hedling; head, -ling ²

Example Sentences

Ireland hosts one of the world's fast-growing clusters of data centres, but is running headlong into the difficult consequences.

From Barron's

A selloff that thrashed U.S. stocks and extended into international markets ran headlong Friday into one of the most powerful forces in America’s multiyear rally.

From The Wall Street Journal

Both Liberty Energy and ProPetro, best known for their expertise in hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, have jumped headlong into the data- center game.

From Barron's

How do you solve a problem like the “groypers”? The question is tearing apart sections of the American conservative movement after the Heritage Foundation last week rushed headlong into the wrong answer.

From The Wall Street Journal

"I personally have a strong feeling that, by continuing the war, Russia is racing headlong toward the abyss".

From BBC

Related Words

• breakneck
• hurried
• sudden