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Definition of headdress

headdress

/ˈhed.dres/
head · dress
Plural:headdresses
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headdress Lexical Profile

headdress Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An ornamental or protective covering or band for the head, often worn on formal, ceremonial, or cultural occasions.

Example

"The indigenous leader wore a magnificent feather headdress during the traditional ceremony."

2

An elaborate arrangement of the hair, sometimes combined with ribbons or jewels, especially as worn by women in historical periods.

Example

"Portraits from the 18th century often feature aristocratic women with towering, powdered headdresses."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for headdress

• Nearby Words

headcase
headcloth
headcount
headdress
header
headfirst
headgear

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the late 15th century, formed as a compound of 'head' and 'dress'. Originally referring to an arrangement of the hair, it later evolved to mean an ornamental covering.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Headdress. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/headdress
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