thickhead: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (rare in modern formal use, more common as historical/literary insult or in ornithology)Informal, Pejorative
Quick answer
What does “thickhead” mean?
A person who is stupid or slow to understand.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is stupid or slow to understand.
An insulting term for someone perceived as lacking intelligence or being foolish; also the common name for a family of birds (Pachycephalidae).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is equally rare and archaic in both varieties when used as an insult. The bird name is used globally.
Connotations
As an insult, it is old-fashioned, often found in period literature or comedic contexts to sound dated. It lacks the modern vulgarity of stronger insults.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary speech. More likely encountered in reading 19th/early 20th-century texts.
Grammar
How to Use “thickhead” in a Sentence
[article/determiner] + thickheadYou + [be] + [article] + thickheadVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used. Considered unprofessional.
Academic
Not used, except potentially in historical literary analysis or ornithology.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used jokingly among friends to mimic old-fashioned speech.
Technical
In ornithology, refers to birds of the family Pachycephalidae.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thickhead”
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'He is very thickhead') instead of a noun (e.g., 'He is a thickhead').
- Confusing it with 'thick-skinned' (insensitive to criticism).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very old-fashioned and rare in modern speech. It sounds more comical or literary than genuinely offensive.
No, it is solely a noun. The related adjective meaning 'stupid' is 'thick-headed' (often hyphenated).
They are near synonyms from the same era. 'Blockhead' perhaps suggests an empty, wooden head, while 'thickhead' suggests a dense, impenetrable one. Both are archaic.
Yes, birds in the family Pachycephalidae, found in Australasia and Southeast Asia, are commonly called whistlers, shrikethrushes, or thickheads.
A person who is stupid or slow to understand.
Thickhead is usually informal, pejorative in register.
Thickhead: in British English it is pronounced /ˈθɪkhɛd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈθɪkˌhɛd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(as) thick as two short planks (related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a head literally filled with thick, dense material, making thoughts slow to pass through.
Conceptual Metaphor
STUPIDITY IS DENSITY / LACK OF MENTAL PENETRATION
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'thickhead' used in a neutral, non-insulting way?