headless

adjective

head·​less ˈhed-ləs 

1

a

: having no head

b

: having the head cut off : beheaded

2

: having no chief

3

: lacking good sense or prudence : foolish

headlessness noun

Examples of headless in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For years, however, the face of the gigantic crawler eluded scientists—Arthropleura fossils discovered since the 1800s were often only remnants of headless exoskeletons left behind during molting. —Olatunji Osho-Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024

Best Boneless: Season Brand Sardines in Extra Virgin Olive Oil Many sardines are packed mostly intact: headless, with skin and spines still in place. —Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 7 Oct. 2024

Instead, the museum has filed a lawsuit against the Manhattan District Attorney seeking a declaration that the museum is the rightful and lawful owner of a headless bronze whose likely illicit origins have been documented in a major scholarly journal. —Patricia Failing, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2024

Dark linens topped with torn gauze transform a buffet and a headless winged statue plays up the Gothic effect. —Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

headless

adjective

head·​less ˈhed-ləs 

1

: having no head

2

: having no chief

3

: lacking good sense or prudence : foolish

headlessness noun