What does headfast mean?
Headfast is a largely nautical word for moving with the bow, or front, facing the direction of travel. A ship is headfast when it drives forward with its bow into the wind, and related older or literary uses treat the word as an adverb meaning headfirst or headlong. The expression can suggest determined forward motion, although its conventional definition is technical rather than evaluative. In general writing, headfast is uncommon; writers seeking only the idea of moving forward will usually choose ahead, headfirst, or headlong, depending on whether direction, posture, or lack of caution is intended. Its value is largely historical and nautical: the word preserves a traditional distinction between the leading end of a vessel and the direction in which it is moving. The nautical meaning of head is especially important, since sailors use it for a ship’s bow. As a result, headfast is more specific than a generic claim to be moving forward, and its appearance in literary prose often lends a vivid sense of plunging forward regardless of direction.
Having the bow or front of a vessel facing the direction of motion, especially while sailing into the wind.
"The headfast trawler pushed into the waves despite the worsening weather."
Chiefly nautical and uncommon outside descriptions of ships or sailing.
With the head leading; headfirst or headlong.
"The swimmer plunged headfast into the surf."
This sense is older or literary and is more common in extended prose than in everyday speech.
Headfast puts the bow in front—even when a ship is driving straight into the wind.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does headfast come from?
Headfast is an English compound formed from head and fast. Its nautical sense uses head in the traditional sense of a vessel’s bow, while the related head-first meaning is parallel to headfirst. The compound also preserves an older sense resembling headlong or headfirst rather than the purely technical nautical distinction.
How headfast is actually used
The nautical adjective is chiefly technical and is not common in modern general prose. The adverbial sense is older or literary and can convey forceful, uncontrolled forward movement.
Easily confused with headfast
Headfast is principally a nautical term for having the bow facing the direction of motion, whereas headlong means moving with the head foremost, often implying carelessness or loss of control.