headshot

American  

[hed-shot] / ˈhɛdˌʃɒt /

Or head shot

noun

1. a photograph of someone's face, especially a promotional photograph of a model, actor, or author.

2. mug shot.

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Etymology

Origin of headshot

First recorded in 1935–40; head ( def. ) + shot ¹ ( def. ) (in the sense “photograph”)

Example Sentences

The former Australian Paralympic swimmer wanted to vamp up her headshot and uploaded a full-length photo of her and prompted it really specifically that she was missing her left arm from below the elbow.

From BBC • Oct. 14, 2025

“I cannot continue my reelection campaign,” Adams humbly submitted on camera as he sat next to a large headshot of his late mother, with Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” playing in the background.

From Slate • Sep. 29, 2025

He started off by asking if anyone was hiring before whipping out a dated headshot and handing it off to Harrison Ford, asking the actor to pass it along to Steven Spielberg.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 14, 2025

Reeve wasn’t the producers’ first pick, but the size of the actor’s neck in a headshot made them reconsider, hoping he could build himself up to fighting shape.

From Salon • Jul. 10, 2025

The largest picture, though, is an image of Grandma as I knew her before she passed away: In the headshot, she’s facing the camera with warm eyes and a slight smile.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer