What does headstrong mean?
Headstrong describes someone or something that is stubborn, self-willed, and determined not to be controlled or redirected. It commonly describes children, teenagers, and adults who insist on acting independently, even when others advise them to do something different. The word can also carry the sense of acting hastily or with excessive determination, though that use is less central today. Headstrong is not simply a synonym for independent: independence may be neutral or admirable, whereas headstrong usually suggests conflict with authority or advice. It can apply to a person, an animal, a temperament, or, less commonly, a decision or course of action. The word is useful because it captures a mixture of admirable self-belief and potential stubbornness, making it especially effective when describing characters who resist direction from others.
adjectiveStubborn, self-willed, and determined to act in one's own way, especially in defiance of advice or control. It can also suggest being impetuous or acting without sufficient thought.
- Stubborn, self-willed, and unwilling to accept advice or control.
- Impetuous or rashly determined to act without careful consideration.
"The headstrong young woman refused to listen to her family's warnings."
"By the time she was an adult, she had become famously headstrong and independent."
"The headstrong decision to set out despite the storm proved dangerous."
Headstrong began as a description of motion—'head first'—before becoming a verdict on personality.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does headstrong come from?
Headstrong is an English compound formed from the words head and strong, dating from the early 17th century. It originally described something going head foremost, particularly a ship moving with the head first, and later came to describe a person as obstinate or impetuous. Its development reflects a change from a physical description of direction to a figurative description of determined or unyielding behavior.
How headstrong is actually used
Usually mildly critical when describing a person, though it can also emphasize determination and independence. The word is common in British and American English; its historical sense of acting head first is now less usual.
Easily confused with headstrong
Headstrong focuses mainly on stubbornness and self-will, whereas headlong describes moving or acting with the head first, often emphasizing speed or lack of caution.