redhead

redhead — noun

1. someone with naturally orange-brown hair, not coloured by dye but present from b

1.nounA2
Definition

someone with naturally orange-brown hair, not coloured by dye but present from birth

Example

Mayumi is a natural redhead, so her skin is very sensitive to sunlight.

natural redhead — born with red hair

The redhead at the counter ordered a latte with oat milk and unfolded a city map.

Common collocations
  • natural redhead
  • strawberry-blonde redhead
  • redhead with pale skin
  • stereotypes about redheads
Synonyms
  • red-haired person

    more formal and descriptive; used in official or medical contexts

  • ginger

    informal, common in British English; can be mildly teasing

  • carrot-top

    slang, often playful but can sound childish or rude depending on tone

Grammar Patterns

a [adjective] redhead

be a natural redhead

Usage Note

The term redhead is a neutral, everyday label for anyone with naturally red or orange-brown hair. For the adjective form used before a noun, see the adjective sense (sense 3).

Common Mistakes

She is a red hair.
She is a redhead.
red hair describes the colour of the hair itself, not the person who has it.

2. a duck that lives in freshwater wetlands across North America and dives for food

2.nounC1
Definition

a duck that lives in freshwater wetlands across North America and dives for food underwater, with a reddish-brown head and grey-and-black body

Example

The redhead is a diving duck that breeds in the marshes of western Canada.

diving duck that breeds — species description pattern

Ornithologists track the migration of the redhead across the Great Lakes using satellite tags.

Common collocations
  • the redhead duck
  • male redhead
  • female redhead
  • redhead population
  • redhead habitat
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

the [adjective] redhead

male/female redhead

Usage Note

This is a specialist term used by birdwatchers and ornithologists. The redhead duck (Aythya americana) is easy to confuse with the similar canvasback duck. Not needed in everyday conversation.

redhead — adjective

Word family

  • red
    adjectiveA1
  • redheaded
    adjectiveB1
  • reddish
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four describe a person with naturally orange-brown hair, but they differ in register and connotation. Redhead is the standard, neutral term — suitable for any situation, from casual conversation to formal writing. Ginger is informal and primarily British; it is widely used in the UK without offence, though some people find it mildly teasing. Carrot-top is slang and much more informal; it can sound playful among friends but risks sounding childish or insulting with strangers. Red-haired person is the most formal and descriptive option, often used in medical records or official descriptions. For example, a news report might say 'the red-haired woman was last seen near the station,' while friends at a pub might say 'that ginger bloke over there.' The noun redhead remains the safest, most widely understood choice across all contexts.

redhead ↗ginger ↗carrot-topred-haired person

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Redhead is a compound word formed from Old English rēad ('red') and hēafod ('head'). It has been used to describe people with red hair since the 14th century (Middle English redhed). The sense referring to the North American duck (Aythya americana) appeared in the 19th century, named after the male's reddish-brown head. The use of redhead as an attributive adjective (e.g. 'a redhead girl') developed from the noun in the 20th century.