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Synonyms

talking head

American  

noun

  1. Television Slang. a closeup picture of a person who is talking, especially as a participant in a talk show.

  2. Slang. a person whose talk is empty and pretentious.

talking head British  

noun

  1. (on television) a person, such as a newscaster, who is shown only from the shoulders up, and speaks without the use of any illustrative material

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of talking head

First recorded in 1965–70

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.

A panel show called The Hill on NewsNation launched in 2023, featuring Maska as a regular talking head.

From Slate • Apr. 21, 2026

Simultaneously, Platner has emerged as a routine talking head on the broader liberal podcast circuit.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

Whereas Part Two opens with Reubens Face Timing Wolf and asking if he can pose questions to the talking head interviewees.

From Salon • Jan. 30, 2025

Bolling became a familiar cable talking head through his work on Fox News.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2024

“At best we’re saying we don’t know,” says the talking head.

From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston

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.