headless

adjective

head·​less ˈhed-ləs 

1

a

: having no head

b

: having the head cut off : beheaded

2

: having no chief

3

: lacking good sense or prudence : foolish

headlessness noun

Examples of headless in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Having said his piece, Armand puts a pen and paper in Louis’s headless hand. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 20 July 2026

That still seems to mean so little to him that Lestat’s headless body, the threat of Regina being decapitated, and his own imminent death has not moved Louis to make amends. — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Irving may have been influenced by German folktales about a man who slept for 20 years, or European stories of terrifying headless riders, but these stories were set in rural New York state, with a distinctly American voice and references. — Steven Johnson, Washington Post, 14 July 2026

An e-bike rider found her headless and limbless torso in a a gray and black rolling bag left on a Brooklyn street days later. — John Annese, New York Daily News, 10 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

headless

adjective

head·​less ˈhed-ləs 

1

: having no head

2

: having no chief

3

: lacking good sense or prudence : foolish

headlessness noun