noun · 6 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
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
General-American:/ˈhɛdˌhʌntɚ/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:HH EH1 D HH AH2 N T ER0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
A person who practises headhunting, the taking and preserving of a person's head after killing them.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: anthropology, human-sciences, sciences
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
One who recruits skilled personnel, especially executive-level ones, for a company.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: business
Examples
Near-synonyms: recruiter, talent scout
A headhunter called me out of the blue with an offer I couldn't refuse.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: recruiter, talent scout
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
A pitcher who throws at the batter's head.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
