Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

head-scratcher

/ˈhɛdˌskɹæt͡ʃɚ/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 2.39 in modern English

Syllables: head--scratch-er
IPA: /ˈhɛdˌskɹæt͡ʃɚ/

24

Scrabble Score

13

Letters

4

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Something particularly puzzling or confusing.

Informal

noun

A device used to scratch the head.

Example Sentences

"Golden Globes nominations a head-scratcher"
""A judge will decide what is the most logical, although I'm sure to some judges [freezing the body] will seem like science fiction and a wild scheme," McDonald said. "Other judges make think this is a good thing. It will be a head scratcher for the judge.""
"As nice as it is, the current American taste for that place (where Ellen DeGeneres lives) [Cotswolds] is a head-scratcher."
"Her aunt's husband or her grandfather brings a head scratcher. "If the maid scratched her hair or body with her fingers during these days of observance, her hair would fall out.""

Etymology

From head + scratcher. Literal sense from 1873, figurative from 1971.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈhɛdˌskɹæt͡ʃɚ/

Usage

Informal

Inflected Forms

head-scratchers (plural) head scratcher (alternative) headscratcher (alternative)

Phrases

head scratching head-scratching scratch one's head

Frequently Paired Words

head scratching head-scratching scratch one's head backscratcher

Synonyms

poser stumper nutcracker

Questions

How do you pronounce head-scratcher?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈhɛdˌskɹæt͡ʃɚ/.
What does head-scratcher mean?: Something particularly puzzling or confusing.
Where does head-scratcher come from?: From head + scratcher. Literal sense from 1873, figurative from 1971.

How to pronounce head-scratcher

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “head-scratcher”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈhɛdˌskɹæt͡ʃɚ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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