headfirst

[hed-furst]

adverb

1. with the head heads in front or bent forward; headforemost.

   He dived headfirst into the sea.

2. rashly; precipitately.

headfirst

/ ˈhɛdˈfɜːst /

adjective

1. with the head foremost; headlong

   he fell headfirst

adverb

1. rashly or carelessly

Word History and Origins

Origin of headfirst¹

First recorded in 1820–30; head + first

Example Sentences

Recounting the terrifying moments, Ms Padhiyar told the Indian Express newspaper that she was sitting in the back when the car fell into the river headfirst.

From BBC

Max Muncy was injured in the sixth inning of Wednesday’s win over the Chicago White Sox when Michael Taylor slid headfirst into third on an unsuccessful attempt to steal third base.

From Los Angeles Times

Muncy was injured in the sixth inning of Wednesday’s walk-off win over the Chicago White Sox when Chicago’s Michael Taylor slid headfirst into third on an unsuccessful attempt to steal third base.

From Los Angeles Times

She was also seen to push babies headfirst over cots and cover a toddler's mouth when he started to cry.

From BBC

A meat-and-potatoes guy by nature, he dove headfirst into my world of food restrictions and plant-based improvisation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• directly 
• head-on 
• headlong