head and shoulders

adverb

: beyond comparison : by far

head and shoulders above the competition

Synonyms of head and shoulders

• definitely
• far and away
• by a long shot
• undoubtedly
• by all odds
• by far

Examples of head and shoulders in a Sentence

a performance that was head and shoulders above all the others in the talent competition

Recent Examples on the Web

Preliminary data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Prediction Center shows Illinois leading the rankings across the country, head and shoulders above the traditional Tornado Alley areas of Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas. — Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026

While Knicks fans will remember the 2025-26 NBA season forever, there are a handful of moments that stand head and shoulders above the rest. — Mark Prussin, CBS News, 18 June 2026

Panama is now best known for producing Major League Baseball stars, with legendary New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera standing head and shoulders above the long list of Panamanians who have graced an American ballpark. — Elias Burke, New York Times, 10 June 2026

Sumner barely escaped death; his head and shoulders were slashed to the bone. — Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1642, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for head and shoulders

• officeholders
• beholders
• bondholders
• cardholders
• freeholders
• householders
• landholders
• leaseholders
• placeholders
• shareholders
• slaveholders
• smallholders