head girl
Word family
- head boynounB1
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
"Head girl" refers specifically to the highest-ranking female student leader in a British school, a role combining representation and responsibility. "Head boy" is the exact male equivalent — the two titles exist in parallel and carry the same duties. "Prefect" is a broader category: most British schools have several prefects with smaller areas of responsibility (lunch duty, hallway supervision), while only one student holds the head girl title each year. "School captain" is used in some British and Australian schools as an alternative title but is less common in traditional UK private schools. "Student ambassador" is a more modern, informal role focused on promoting the school at open days and recruitment events, and unlike head girl it is often shared among multiple students. For example, a student might serve as a prefect for two years before being chosen as head girl in her final year.
Common collocations
Etymology
"Head girl" combines "head" (meaning chief or leader, from Old English hēafod, the topmost part of the body) with "girl" (from Old English gyrle, meaning a young person). The compound emerged in British private and grammar schools in the late 19th century when schools formalised a system of senior student leaders. The male equivalent "head boy" appeared around the same period.