deadhead

1 of 2

noun

dead·​head ˈded-ˌhed 

1

: one who has not paid for a ticket

2

: a dull or stupid person

3

: a partially submerged log

4

Deadhead : a devoted fan of the rock group the Grateful Dead

The bond between the [Grateful] Dead and the Deadheads was extraordinary.

—Bill Barich

5

gardening : a faded blossom on a flowering plant

Pansies are still available for late spring bloom. Keep deadheads off.

—Edith Henderson

deadhead

2 of 2

verb

deadheaded; deadheading; deadheads

intransitive verb

1

: to make especially a return trip without a load

2

: to deadhead a plant

transitive verb

: to remove the faded flowers of (a plant) especially to keep a neat appearance and to promote reblooming by preventing seed production

Synonyms of deadhead

Noun

• idiot
• moron
• stupid

Examples of deadhead in a Sentence

Noun

people knew that he was a deadhead and voted for him anyway

Verb

She's out in the garden deadheading the rosebushes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Deadhead spent blooms to keep the flower show going until frost. —Michelle Darrisaw, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026

And these Deadheads are something else. —Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026

Verb

Here’s how and when to deadhead your hydrangeas to keep them beautiful. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026

One thing to keep in mind, though, is to always deadhead their spent blooms, which will encourage further growth. —Haniya Rae, Martha Stewart, 1 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1826, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for deadhead

• abed
• ahead
• beachhead
• bedspread
• bedstead
• behead
• blackhead
• blockhead
• bloodshed
• bowhead
• breastfed
• bridgehead