Phrase guide

head and shoulders

adv · noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adv

Meaning 1

To a considerable degree.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, not-comparable

Examples

  • She was head and shoulders better than any of her rivals.
  • He was head and shoulders above the others in the law firm.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

By force; violently.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • to drag somebody head and shoulders

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A characteristic formation on a technical analysis chart where two lower peaks appear around a central higher peak.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: business, finance

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.