headstrong

American  

[hed-strawng, -strong] / ˈhɛdˌstrɔŋ, -ˌstrɒŋ /

adjective

1. determined to have one's own way; willful; stubborn; obstinate.

   a headstrong young man.

   Antonyms:

   docile, tractable

2. proceeding from or exhibiting willfulness.

   a headstrong course.

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headstrong British  

/ ˈhɛdˌstrɒŋ /

adjective

1. self-willed; obstinate

2. (of an action) heedless; rash

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Related Words

See willful.

Other Word Forms

• headstrongly adverb
• headstrongness noun

Etymology

Origin of headstrong

First recorded in 1350–1400, headstrong is from the Middle English word heedstronge. See head, strong

Example Sentences

Her dad looks for signs that a match may butt heads with her headstrong personality, while her brother tries to steer her away from older men.

From The Wall Street Journal

Smart and headstrong, Ellison attended the University of Chicago, but dropped out and drove to California in a used Thunderbird.

From Los Angeles Times

For her role as a young woman in conflict with her headstrong father in 1985’s “Twice in a Lifetime,” Madigan received an Oscar nomination for supporting actress.

From Los Angeles Times

As a headstrong piano student, he made rapid if idiosyncratic progress.

From The Wall Street Journal

Douglas Century’s “Crash of the Heavens” brings to life the headstrong, charismatic heroine who was both a fearless warrior and a precocious writer.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• impulsive