figurehead
5 synonyms for figurehead, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A carved decorative figure mounted on the bow of an old sailing ship.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
strawman
front man
straw man
nominal head
How to use figurehead
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a mere figurehead
ceremonial figurehead
Etymology
Literally "figure" plus "head," from the carved figures placed at the head (bow) of sailing ships.
Full origin of figurehead →Frequently asked questions
What does “figurehead” mean?
The word “figurehead” means a carved decorative figure mounted on the bow of an old sailing ship. In plain terms, either the carved decoration on the front of an old ship, or a leader who has a title but no real control.
How do you pronounce “figurehead”?
“Figurehead” is pronounced FIHG-yuhr-hehd (/ˈfɪɡjəɹˌhɛd/ in IPA).
How do you use “figurehead” in a sentence?
Here is “figurehead” used in a sentence: “The museum displayed a restored wooden figurehead from a 19th-century clipper.”
What part of speech is “figurehead”?
“Figurehead” is a noun.
How many meanings does “figurehead” have?
“Figurehead” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a carved decorative figure mounted on the bow of an old sailing ship.
