redhead

American  

[red-hed] / ˈrɛdˌhɛd /

noun

1. a person having red hair.

2. an American diving duck, Aythya americana, the male of which has a bright chestnut-red head. heads.

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redhead British  

/ ˈrɛdˌhɛd /

noun

1. a person with red hair

2. a diving duck, Aythya americana , of North America, the male of which has a grey-and-black body and a reddish-brown head

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Etymology

Origin of redhead

First recorded in 1655–65; red ¹ + head

Compare meaning

How does redhead compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• canvasback vs. redhead

Example Sentences

Like many other North Korean prisoners, Mr Ahn too was labelled a "redhead", a reference to his communist sympathies, and he struggled to find a proper job.

From BBC • Aug. 21, 2025

When Bill Walton produced one of the greatest performances in college basketball history, Wooden couldn’t resist taking a tongue-in-cheek jab at the big redhead.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 19, 2024

Rouwenhorst, not a redhead himself, decided to take a group picture with everyone who got in touch.

From Reuters • Aug. 27, 2023

The park is also known for attracting a striking species of diving duck called a redhead.

From New York Times • Jun. 6, 2023

Up until the Santa Anita Handicap the redhead had been basking in the attention, boasting of his horse’s infallibility, and entertaining the reporters with his quick wit.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand