headmaster
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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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I Will Always Write Back
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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.
Actor Terrence Hardiman, best known for playing the title role in The Demon Headmaster, has died aged 86.
From BBC • May 9, 2023
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
"We all have hard truths to contend with," the Headmaster counsels Drea, and Gellar could be advising her younger self too.
From Salon • Sep. 22, 2022
Though resplendent, they do not glimmer; the aluminum is dull and matte, and on most caps you can still see the brand names of Nigerian liquor companies like Castello or Headmaster.
From New York Times • Mar. 28, 2019
“Just as I felt when I took it,” Headmaster said.
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.
