bighead: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, often humorous or mildly derogatory.
Quick answer
What does “bighead” mean?
An informal term for a person who is conceited or excessively proud of themselves.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An informal term for a person who is conceited or excessively proud of themselves.
1. Literally, an unusually large head. 2. In freshwater fisheries, a type of carp (bighead carp). 3. In pathology, a disease affecting lambs.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the metaphorical sense identically. The literal sense (large head) is slightly more common in British English colloquial descriptions. The fish species (bighead carp) is referenced in American English due to its invasive presence in US waterways.
Connotations
Identical in connotation: mildly critical but often used in a teasing manner among friends or family.
Frequency
Moderately low frequency in both, with perhaps slightly higher colloquial use in UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “bighead” in a Sentence
[Subject] is a bighead.[Subject] has a bighead (literal).Don't get a bighead.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bighead” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A (Use 'big-headed')
American English
- N/A (Use 'big-headed')
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used informally to criticize a colleague perceived as arrogant: 'His promotion gave him a bit of a bighead.'
Academic
Virtually never used.
Everyday
Primary context. Used in personal relationships, teasing, light criticism: 'You're such a bighead since you won that award.'
Technical
Used in ichthyology (bighead carp) and veterinary science (bighead disease in lambs).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bighead”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bighead”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bighead”
- Using it as an adjective (*He is very bighead). Correct: He is a bighead. / He is bigheaded.
- Confusing 'bighead' (noun) with 'big-headed' (adjective).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal and mildly derogatory. It can be used jokingly among friends but would be insulting if said seriously to someone you don't know well.
'Bighead' is a noun (He is a bighead). 'Big-headed' is an adjective (He is big-headed). Their meanings are identical.
Yes, but it's less common. It can refer to a person with a literally large head or, in specific contexts, to animals (e.g., bighead carp).
Yes, words like 'show-off', 'know-it-all', 'egotist', and the phrase 'swollen head' convey similar ideas with slightly different nuances.
An informal term for a person who is conceited or excessively proud of themselves.
Bighead is usually informal, often humorous or mildly derogatory. in register.
Bighead: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡˈhɛd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɪɡˌhɛd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Get a bighead (become conceited)”
- “Swollen head (near synonym)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a cartoon character whose head literally swells up with pride when they receive a compliment. Big (swollen) + head (mind/ego) = bighead.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRIDE/ARROGANCE IS AN ENLARGED HEAD (or SWELLING).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'bighead' LEAST likely to be used?