Headword for Dummies
noun
pronunciation: 'hɛdwɜrdWhat does Headword really mean?
Student: Hey, teacher! Can you explain to me what "headword" means? I've heard that word before, but I'm not sure what it actually means. Can you help me understand it?
Teacher: Of course, I'd be happy to help you out! So, let's start with understanding what a dictionary is. You know, a dictionary is like a super helpful book that lists words in alphabetical order and gives us their meanings. Well, when you open a dictionary, you'll see that each word is written in a bold or big font at the top of the page. That word at the top is called the "headword."
Think of it like this, when you enter a library, you notice that on top of each shelf, there's a label that tells you what kind of books are on that shelf. Those labels are like the headwords of the dictionary. They give you a quick idea about the words that are listed below them. Similarly, in a dictionary, the headword acts as a label for a group of words that share the same first letter or first few letters. It helps us find the words we're looking for easier and quicker.
Now, the headword can have more than one meaning, just like some words have more than one definition. Let's say we look up the headword "run." Below that headword, you'll find multiple meanings of "run," such as "to move quickly on foot" or "to operate a machine." So, in a way, the headword acts as a gateway, leading us to explore the different meanings and uses of a word.
So, to sum it up, a headword is like the big label at the top of each page in a dictionary that helps us locate words quickly. It's the word we're looking up in the dictionary, and it often has multiple meanings that we can explore. Just like a shelf label in a library helps us find books easily, a headword helps us find the meaning of a word quickly in a dictionary.
Teacher: Of course, I'd be happy to help you out! So, let's start with understanding what a dictionary is. You know, a dictionary is like a super helpful book that lists words in alphabetical order and gives us their meanings. Well, when you open a dictionary, you'll see that each word is written in a bold or big font at the top of the page. That word at the top is called the "headword."
Think of it like this, when you enter a library, you notice that on top of each shelf, there's a label that tells you what kind of books are on that shelf. Those labels are like the headwords of the dictionary. They give you a quick idea about the words that are listed below them. Similarly, in a dictionary, the headword acts as a label for a group of words that share the same first letter or first few letters. It helps us find the words we're looking for easier and quicker.
Now, the headword can have more than one meaning, just like some words have more than one definition. Let's say we look up the headword "run." Below that headword, you'll find multiple meanings of "run," such as "to move quickly on foot" or "to operate a machine." So, in a way, the headword acts as a gateway, leading us to explore the different meanings and uses of a word.
So, to sum it up, a headword is like the big label at the top of each page in a dictionary that helps us locate words quickly. It's the word we're looking up in the dictionary, and it often has multiple meanings that we can explore. Just like a shelf label in a library helps us find books easily, a headword helps us find the meaning of a word quickly in a dictionary.
Revised and Fact checked by Emma Johnson on 2023-10-29 09:12:37
Headword In a sentece
Learn how to use Headword inside a sentece
- When you are looking up a word in the dictionary, the word you are looking for is called the headword. For example, if you are searching for the meaning of the word 'cat', then 'cat' is the headword.
- In a table of contents of a book, the main word or topic that is mentioned at the beginning of each section is called the headword. For instance, if you see the word 'Chapter 1 - Introduction' listed in the table of contents, 'Chapter 1 - Introduction' is the headword for that section.
- When you are playing a word game and you need to come up with as many words as possible using a specific set of letters, the main word that you start with is called the headword. For example, if you have the letters 'b', 'a', and 't' and you want to make as many words as you can, then 'bat' can be your headword.
- In a dictionary, the word that is written in bold or capitalized at the beginning of each definition is called the headword. For instance, if you are reading different meanings of the word 'run' in a dictionary, 'run' is the headword that you will see at the beginning of each definition.
- When you are organizing a list of words in alphabetical order, the very first word in the list becomes the headword. So, if you have a list like 'zebra, apple, banana, cat', then 'apple' would be the headword because it comes first in the alphabetical order.
Headword Synonyms
Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.
Headword Hypernyms
Words that are more generic than the original word.
Headword Holonyms
The larger whole to which this word belongs.