adj
hardheaded
Hardheaded (adj) means Stubborn and unwilling to change one's mind. Example: “She's too hardheaded to admit she was wrong.”
adj
1
Stubborn and unwilling to change one's mind.
"She's too hardheaded to admit she was wrong."
"His hardheaded refusal to compromise stalled the negotiations."
2
Practical and realistic rather than sentimental; pragmatic.
"The report offered a hardheaded assessment of the company's finances."
"Good business owners need a hardheaded approach to risk."
How to use hardheaded
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither stubborn, or coolly practical rather than emotional — the meaning depends on context.
Common pairings
hardheaded businessman
hardheaded realism
hardheaded and stubborn
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more hardheaded, harderheaded
- Superlative
- most hardheaded, hardestheaded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She's too _____ to admit she was wrong.
Etymology
Formed from hard + headed, first recorded around the mid-15th century.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for hardheaded
See all rhymes for hardheaded →Frequently asked questions
What does “hardheaded” mean?
The word “hardheaded” means stubborn and unwilling to change one's mind. In plain terms, either stubborn, or coolly practical rather than emotional — the meaning depends on context.
How do you use “hardheaded” in a sentence?
Here is “hardheaded” used in a sentence: “She's too hardheaded to admit she was wrong.”
What part of speech is “hardheaded”?
“Hardheaded” is an adjective.
Where does the word “hardheaded” come from?
The word “hardheaded” dates back to around 1400. Formed from hard + headed, first recorded around the mid-15th century.
How many meanings does “hardheaded” have?
“Hardheaded” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: stubborn and unwilling to change one's mind.
