headfirst

adverb

head·​first ˈhed-ˈfərst How to pronounce headfirst (audio)
1
: with the head foremost
dove headfirst into the waves
2
headfirst adjective

Examples of headfirst in a Sentence

She dove into the water headfirst. She rushed into the relationship headfirst.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The United States is charging headfirst into a mining revival—at least on paper. Anthony Milewski, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 Initially dismissed as an accident, Charles, Oliver and Mabel dive headfirst into the investigation, uncovering a sprawling conspiracy that stretches beyond the building’s walls and entangles New York’s old mob families with its newest billionaires. Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025 And that meant that Mickens dove headfirst into accumulating voicy clothing. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 9 Sep. 2025 For Mikkelsen and Lie Kaas, who have previously pushed Jensen’s brand of lunatic sincerity in films like Men & Chicken and Riders of Justice, The Last Viking was another chance to dive headfirst into the madness while keeping hold of something real. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for headfirst

Word History

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of headfirst was in 1790

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Headfirst.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headfirst. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

headfirst

adverb
head·​first ˈhed-ˈfərst How to pronounce headfirst (audio)
: with the head foremost
headfirst adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on headfirst

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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