headhunter
1 synonym for headhunter, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A recruiter who seeks out and approaches skilled professionals, especially executives, to fill jobs at other companies.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
head-shrinker
How to use headhunter
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
hire a headhunter
contacted by a headhunter
executive headhunter
Etymology
A straightforward compound of head and hunter; the recruitment sense is a 20th-century figurative extension of the older, literal one.
Full origin of headhunter →Frequently asked questions
What does “headhunter” mean?
The word “headhunter” means a recruiter who seeks out and approaches skilled professionals, especially executives, to fill jobs at other companies. In plain terms, someone paid to find and poach talented staff for other employers.
How do you pronounce “headhunter”?
“Headhunter” is pronounced HEHD-huhnt (/ˈhɛdˌhʌntɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “headhunter” in a sentence?
Here is “headhunter” used in a sentence: “A headhunter contacted her about a director role at a rival firm.”
What part of speech is “headhunter”?
“Headhunter” is a noun.
Where does the word “headhunter” come from?
The word “headhunter” dates back to around 1900. A straightforward compound of head and hunter; the recruitment sense is a 20th-century figurative extension of the older, literal one.
How many meanings does “headhunter” have?
“Headhunter” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a recruiter who seeks out and approaches skilled professionals, especially executives, to fill jobs at other companies.
