First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1headlong
adverb head·long \-ˈlȯŋ\
: with the head leading
: without taking time to think about your actions
Full Definition of HEADLONG
1
: headfirst 1
2
: without deliberation : recklessly <rushes headlong into danger>
3
: without pause or delay
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Origin of HEADLONG
Middle English hedlong, alteration of hedling, from hed head
Related to HEADLONG
- Synonyms
- cursorily, hastily, hotfoot, hurriedly, pell-mell, precipitately, precipitously, rashly
- Antonyms
- deliberately, studiedly
Rhymes with HEADLONG
agelong, along, art song, barong, belong, biltong, birdsong, chaise longue, daylong, ding-dong, diphthong, dugong, endlong, erelong, fight song, folk song, furlong, Geelong, Haiphong, headstrong, Hong Kong, hour-long, kampong, lifelong, livelong, Mekong, monthlong, nightlong, oblong, oolong, part-song, Ping-Pong, plainsong, prolong, sarong, Shandong, shout song, sidelong, singsong, so long, souchong, swan song, theme song, torch song, weeklong, work song, yearlong
2headlong
adjective head·long \-ˌlȯŋ\
Definition of HEADLONG
1
archaic : steep, precipitous
2
: lacking in calmness or restraint : precipitate <a headlong torrent of emotion>
3
: plunging headfirst
First Known Use of HEADLONG
circa 1550
Related to HEADLONG
- Synonyms
- cursory, drive-by, flying, gadarene, hasty, helter-skelter, hurried, overhasty, pell-mell, precipitate, precipitous, rash, rushed
- Antonyms
- deliberate, unhurried, unrushed
Synonym Discussion of HEADLONG
precipitate, headlong, abrupt, impetuous, sudden mean showing undue haste or unexpectedness. precipitate stresses lack of due deliberation and implies prematureness of action <the army's precipitate withdrawal>. headlong stresses rashness and lack of forethought <a headlong flight from arrest>. abrupt stresses curtness and a lack of warning or ceremony <an abrupt refusal>. impetuous stresses extreme impatience or impulsiveness <an impetuous lover proposing marriage>. sudden stresses unexpectedness and sharpness or violence of action <flew into a sudden rage>.
HEADLONG[1] Defined for Kids
1headlong
adverb head·long \ˈhed-ˈlȯŋ\
Definition of HEADLONG for Kids
1
: headfirst <The boys dove headlong into a pile of leaves.>
2
: without waiting to think things through <Don't rush headlong into marriage.>
2headlong
adjective \ˈhed-ˌlȯŋ\
Definition of HEADLONG for Kids
1
2
: plunging headfirst <He made a headlong run for the exit.>
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