World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesHeadhunter
/ˈhɛdˌhʌn.tər/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
A person or agency employed to identify and recruit individuals with specific skills for executive or specialized positions.
"A top-tier headhunter contacted her on LinkedIn about a chief executive officer position." - 2
Historically, a member of a tribal society that collects the severed heads of enemies as trophies.
"Anthropological studies documented the ritual practices of historical headhunters in Southeast Asia."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Originally derived from the literal practice of tribal headhunting in anthropology during the 19th century, the term shifted metaphorically in mid-20th-century American corporate business to describe executive recruiters who hunt or poach top talent from rival firms.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Headhunter"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Headhunter" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
chasseur de têtes
Transliteration: /ʃa.sœʁ də tɛt/
"Un chasseur de têtes l'a contactée pour un poste de direction."
Personalberater
Transliteration: /pɛʁ.zoˈnaːl.bəˌʁaː.tɐ/
"Der Personalberater suchte nach einem neuen Geschäftsführer."
cacciatore di teste
Transliteration: /kat.tʃaˈtoː.re di ˈtɛ.ste/
"Un cacciatore di teste le ha offerto un nuovo lavoro."
cazatalentos
Transliteration: /ka.sa.taˈlen.tos/
"El cazatalentos le ofreció una posición ejecutiva."
caçador de talentos
Transliteration: /ka.saˈdõʁ dʒi taˈlẽ.tus/
"O caçador de talentos entrou em contato com o diretor."
प्रतिभा शिकारी
Transliteration: pratibha shikari
"एक प्रतिभा शिकारी ने उसे उच्च पद के लिए फोन किया।"
猎头
Transliteration: liètóu
"猎头公司帮他找到了一份新工作。"
헤드헌터
Transliteration: hedeu-heonteo
"그 헤드헌터는 임원 채용을 전문으로 한다."
ヘッドハンター
Transliteration: heddohantā
"ヘッドハンターが彼女に新しい役職を持ちかけた。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all English termsA secondary residence owned or rented by a family or individual, used primarily for recreational purposes, holidays, or seasonal getaways.
Not producing or containing venom; incapable of injecting poison through a bite, sting, or other mechanism.
Placing the customer's needs, experiences, and preferences at the center of a business's philosophy, operations, and decision-making.
Explore Nuanced Synonyms for "Headhunter"
Discover exact matches, context-specific alternatives, and antonyms with intensity ratings in the VocabDictionary Thesaurus.
Enhance Your Writing & Grammar Precision
Linguistic Origins & Word Stories
View all stories →How Are Palisade Cells Adapted for Photosynthesis (and Why Are They Called 'Palisade')?
Palisade mesophyll cells are column-shaped, densely packed with chloroplasts, and positioned near the leaf's upper surface to maximize light absorption for photosynthesis. Their name comes from the French word for a defensive fence of wooden stakes, referencing their tightly aligned, upright cellular structure.
What is a SLOT SWOT Analysis and How Do You Actually Do One?
A SLOT SWOT analysis is an expanded strategic planning framework that blends personal or organizational 'SLOT' (Strengths, Limitations, Opportunities, Threats) metrics with traditional 'SWOT' dynamics. It provides a granular approach to evaluating internal capabilities against external market realities.