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

• airhead
• birdbrain
• blockhead
• bonehead
• bubblehead
• chowderhead
• chucklehead
• clodpoll
• clodpole
• clot [British]
• cluck
• clunk
• cretin
• cuddy [British dialect]
• cuddie
• deadhead
• dim bulb [slang]
• dimwit
• dip
• dodo
• dolt
• donkey
• doofus [slang]
• dope
• dork [slang]
• dullard
• dum-dum
• dumbbell
• dumbhead
• dummkopf
• dummy
• dunce
• dunderhead
• fathead
• gander
• golem
• goof
• goon
• half-wit
• hammerhead
• hardhead
• idiot
• ignoramus
• imbecile
• jackass
• know-nothing
• knucklehead
• lamebrain
• loon
• lump
• lunkhead
• meathead
• mome [archaic]
• moron
• mug [chiefly British]
• mutt
• natural
• nimrod [slang]
• nincompoop
• ninny
• ninnyhammer
• nit [chiefly British]
• nitwit
• noddy
• noodle
• numskull
• numbskull
• oaf
• pinhead
• prat [British]
• ratbag [chiefly Australian]
• saphead
• schlub [slang]
• shlub
• schnook [slang]
• simpleton
• stock
• stupe
• stupid
• thickhead
• turkey
• woodenhead
• yahoo
• yo-yo

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

The loggerheads also received physicals and are also doing well, according to O’Neill. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2024

For example, flatback sea turtles are omnivores, eating both plants and animals, while loggerheads are carnivores, eating plants rarely. —Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024

O’Leary’s latest war of words Ryanair’s O’Leary has regularly foung himself at loggerheads with regulatory bodies and government authorities, often using emotive language uncommon for a CEO to get his point across. —Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 22 Nov. 2023

Although the United States, China, and Russia now find themselves at loggerheads at the UN over many issues, the Security Council could yet settle into a new equilibrium. —Richard Gowan, Foreign Affairs, 9 Nov. 2023

These loggerhead sea turtles are about half her age and size. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2024

The Congress Party, which dominated politics after India’s independence in 1947, has increasingly fielded its own candidates to fill seats in a majority of the states, alienating regional parties, many of whom were already at loggerheads with each other across state lines. —Astha Rajvanshi, TIME, 2 Apr. 2024

The presentation includes a visit with a loggerhead sea turtle named Sapphire, rays, leopard sharks and more. —The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Jan. 2024

Experts who studied aid had long been at loggerheads, with Nobel laureates pitted against one another. —Leif Wenar, WIRED, 27 Mar. 2024

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

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