headstrong

/ˈhedstrɒŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhedstrɔːŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhed-ˌstrȯŋ/ (ame, mw)

headstrong — adjective

  • headstrongpositive
  • more headstrongcomparative
  • most headstrongsuperlative

1. set on doing things your own way, brushing off warnings, advice, or rules from p

1.形容詞C1
釋義

set on doing things your own way, brushing off warnings, advice, or rules from people who know better.

例句

Dewi was too headstrong to listen when her mother warned her about the icy road.

predicative: too headstrong to + infinitive

Chidi's headstrong cousin signed the lease without asking anyone in the family first.

attributive: headstrong + noun (person)

同義詞
  • stubborn

    more common, neutral-to-negative; doesn't imply the same youthful or wilful energy

  • wilful

    close synonym, often of children; emphasises insisting on one's own way

  • obstinate

    more formal; stresses refusal to change position even with good reason

  • self-willed

    literary; highlights acting on one's own desires regardless of others

反義詞
  • obedient

    willing to follow instructions and respect authority

  • compliant

    agreeing readily with rules or requests

  • docile

    easy to control or teach; often of children or animals

文法句型

a headstrong + noun

be headstrong

用法筆記

Almost always describes a person (or an animal like a horse) and carries a mildly negative or wry tone — the speaker thinks the determination crosses into refusing reasonable input. Frequently softened with hedges like 'a bit', 'rather', or 'too'.

常見錯誤

❌The plan was headstrong.
✅The planner was headstrong.
💡'headstrong' describes people or animals, not plans, ideas, or objects.
❌Mei is very headstrong about her homework.
✅Mei is very diligent about her homework.
💡'headstrong' implies ignoring others, not just working hard; use a positive word when no conflict is meant.