redheaded
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /rˈɛdhɛdɪd/
US
- /ˈrɛdˌhɛdɪd/
Description
- Having red hair
- with reddish hair
- ginger-haired
- auburn-haired
- carrot-topped
To be "redheaded" simply means that someone has red or reddish hair. It is mostly a direct description of appearance, and you will often see it used for people, characters, or portraits. The shade can range from light strawberry blonde to a deeper auburn.
Sometimes the word appears with old cultural ideas about people with red hair, such as being fiery or strong-willed. Those ideas are stereotypes, not part of the basic meaning. In normal use, the word is mainly a simple physical description.
"Redheaded" most literally describes a person who has red or reddish hair, ranging from pale strawberry blonde to deep auburn. It is usually used as a straightforward adjective for physical appearance, as in "the redheaded boy stood out in the crowd" or "a redheaded woman smiled from the doorway." In that sense, the word is simple and direct.
Over time, however, people have attached many ideas and stories to red hair. In books, films, and everyday speech, someone described this way may sometimes be imagined as fiery, bold, unusual, or quick-tempered. These are cultural associations rather than the true definition of the word, and they do not describe everyone with red hair.
Because of this, the word can carry a little extra feeling in some contexts, especially in storytelling. A writer may choose it not only to describe hair color but also to create a vivid image. Still, its main meaning remains clear: a person with red hair. Any added sense of temperament or personality depends on context and should be understood as a stereotype, not as part of the basic definition.
Examples
- 1
Family appearance
Their youngest daughter is redheaded like her grandfather.
- 2
Person description
I recognized the redheaded waiter from the cafe near my office.
- 3
Neglected group
The small regional office often felt like the redheaded stepchild of the company.
Phrase
the redheaded stepchild of + group
the part that is ignored or treated as less important
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- redheadedadjective