School / A2

hed-TEECH-uh/ˌhedˈtiːtʃə/

A headteacher is the teacher in charge of a British school: the headteacher’s office, speak to the headteacher. Head is a short informal form. Principal is common in American English and in some colleges. Teacher is any classroom teacher. Headmaster / headmistress are older gendered words. Write headteacher as one word.

Meaning

The teacher in charge of a school.

Examples

• “The headteacher spoke at assembly.”
• “The headteacher greeted parents at the gate.”
• “Ask the headteacher before you leave school early.”

Good to know

the headteacher / headteacher’s office. Informal: the head. US: principal. One word.

Near in meaning

principal

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