loggerhead

noun

log·​ger·​head ˈlȯ-gər-ˌhed 

ˈlä-

1

chiefly dialectal

a

: blockhead

b

: head

especially : a disproportionately large head

2

a

: a very large chiefly carnivorous sea turtle (Caretta caretta) of subtropical and temperate waters

b

: alligator snapping turtle

3

: an iron tool consisting of a long handle terminating in a ball or bulb that is heated and used to melt tar or to heat liquids

Illustration of loggerhead

• loggerhead 2a

Phrases

at loggerheads

: in or into a state of quarrelsome disagreement

Synonyms

• idiot
• moron
• stupid
• mutt
• hammerhead
• dummy

Examples of loggerhead in a Sentence

that loggerhead couldn't find the business end of a cow even if his life depended on it

Recent Examples on the Web

But Hough and Inaba found themselves at loggerheads when the former's critique started to go south. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025

Leaders remain at loggerheads over how to proceed, with rank-and-file negotiations making little headway so far. —Al Weaver, The Hill, 13 Oct. 2025

Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress, and Democrats remained at loggerheads over the terms of a funding deal as the government shutdown dragged on to its sixth day. —Erin Doherty, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2025

These shrikes are smaller than robins but have large, blocky heads, hence the name loggerhead. —Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 1 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably from English dialect logger block of wood + English head

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing loggerhead

• loggerhead shrike

Rhymes for loggerhead

• abovesaid
• aforesaid
• arrowhead
• casinghead
• copperhead
• figurehead
• fountainhead
• gingerbread
• hammerhead
• infrared
• leatherhead
• letterhead

Kids Definition

loggerhead

noun

log·​ger·​head ˈlȯg-ər-ˌhed 

ˈläg-

: any of several very large turtles

especially : a flesh-eating sea turtle of the warmer parts of the western Atlantic