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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Al Capone Does My Shirts
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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.
Headmaster Richard Jones said: "The rediscovery of this statue means we have the exciting prospect of providing opportunities for talented students who might not otherwise be able to benefit from a Bryanston education."
From BBC • Jan. 16, 2025
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
As the Headmaster at Rosehill Country Day School, Gellar's character goes only by her title.
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
Headmaster read to the end and then read it all the way through again before looking up.
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.
