red-headed
Americanadjective
-
having red hair, as a person.
-
having a red head, as an animal, especially a bird.
adjective
-
(of a person) having red hair
-
(of an animal) having a red head
Etymology
Origin of red-headed
First recorded in 1555–65
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.
The red-headed fairy cackles, “Your hard work didn’t pay off!”
From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2025
"I have red-headed grandchildren and seeing the photographs is really very heartbreaking."
From BBC ● Feb. 20, 2025
In the liner notes for the Craft Recordings anniversary reissue, journalist Josh Modell calls it “the beautiful but misunderstood, complex but overlooked, difficult but incredibly rewarding red-headed stepchild of the R.E.M. catalog.”
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 7, 2023
As a scavenger, the red-headed vulture used to play a crucial role in the ecosystem by consuming animal carcasses.
From Reuters ● Apr. 26, 2023
Sobs erupted from beneath the jacket of the red-headed boy and Ben knew he had a quick decision to make.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
![]()
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.