headlong
Americanadverb
adverb
-
with the head foremost; headfirst
-
with great haste
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of headlong
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English hedlong, earlier hedling; see head, -ling 2
Explanation
Headlong describes something done headfirst, rashly, or really quickly. If you’re the star batter on your baseball team, it’s expected that you'll make a headlong dive for the base. Headlong can refer to hasty actions, but it can also be used more figuratively to describe decisions that are reckless or made in a hurry. Your sister may tend to weigh all the options, but you make headlong decisions. When you decided headlong to move to Florida for a chance to play professionally, your sister thought you’d gone off your rocker — but the day you sign a major contract, she’ll be singing a different tune.
Vocabulary lists containing headlong
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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.
Headlong flights from both childbearing and marriage are taking place in China today.
From Washington Post • Feb. 28, 2023
On the roster: Headlong into the mud - Trump promises police reforms, but narrowly - Senate GOP hurries to produce policing bill - Trump to accept re-nomination in Jacksonville - First Atlantis and now this...
From Fox News • Jun. 12, 2020
A few months ago, Dan Taberski joined us to talk about latest season of his Headlong podcast, Running From Cops, focused on reality television shows about police.
From Slate • Jul. 25, 2019
The show will be directed by the Almeida's new artistic director, Rupert Goold, who developed the musical with his former company, Headlong.
From BBC • Oct. 7, 2013
Headlong I darted; at one eager swirl Gain'd its bright portal, enter'd, and behold!
From Endymion A Poetic Romance by Keats, John
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.
