headmaster
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of headmaster
Explanation
A headmaster is the principal of a private school. Your prep school headmaster might have also taught your favorite English class. The head of a school, especially if the school is in Britain or is private or a boarding school, is called a headmaster. The headmaster is often in charge of discipline as well as the running of the school. It's common these days to use the term head teacher rather than headmaster, since it includes both male and female principals. The word headmaster has been around since the 1570's.
Vocabulary lists containing headmaster
The Night Diary
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Experience magic, mystery and managed mischief on the School of Wizardry Express featuring award-winning magician Headmaster Jeff Evans.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 29, 2022
The Headmaster only directly talks with scholarship student Drea, both reprimanding, advising and showing her grudging admiration for the girl.
From Salon • Sep. 22, 2022
Headmaster John Holian of St. Martin de Porres Marianist school on Long Island was placed on temporary leave after details of the Feb. 25 incident came to light, the Daily News reports.
From Washington Times • Mar. 21, 2021
Death of a Headmaster is a documentary about Philip Lawrence that explores the legacy of his death 25 years on.
From BBC • Dec. 7, 2020
Sometimes Headmaster got frustrated and crumpled up Neel’s papers, and his red pen flew like a carving knife as he made endless corrections.
From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
