noun

headhunter

HEHD-huhnt

Headhunter (noun) means a recruiter who seeks out and approaches skilled professionals, especially executives, to fill jobs at other companies. Example: “A headhunter contacted her about a director role at a rival firm.”

noun

A recruiter who seeks out and approaches skilled professionals, especially executives, to fill jobs at other companies.

"A headhunter contacted her about a director role at a rival firm."

"The company hired a headhunter to fill its vacant CEO position."

Historically, a member of a group or tribe that took and kept the heads of enemies as trophies.

"Old travel accounts describe headhunters in parts of Borneo and Papua New Guinea."

How to use headhunter

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone paid to find and poach talented staff for other employers.

Common mistake

In modern business use it almost always means a recruiter, not the older tribal sense — context makes it obvious which is meant.

Common pairings

hire a headhunter contacted by a headhunter executive headhunter

Word forms

headhunters plural

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A _____ contacted her about a director role at a rival firm.

Etymology

A straightforward compound of head and hunter; the recruitment sense is a 20th-century figurative extension of the older, literal one.

· First attested 1900

Class of 1900 headhunter joined the language around 1900.

addictive Alfredo Alyssa antsy applesauce

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Synonyms

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head-shrinker

Rhymes for headhunter

hunter bunter punter Gunter counter encounter

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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.