Definition

1. Adverb:

   • With the head foremost or first: Moving or falling with the head leading the body.
   • In a hasty, rash, or impetuous manner: Acting with excessive speed and without careful thought.

2. Adjective:

   • Done with the head foremost: Characterized by a forward plunge or dive.
   • Excessively quick and without deliberation: Characterized by unthinking haste or recklessness.

Examples of Usage

• Adverb:
  • He fell headlong down the steep hill. (He fell with his head going first down the steep hill.)
  • The company rushed headlong into the new market without proper research. (The company entered the new market with rash haste.)
• Adjective:
  • It was a headlong dash to catch the last train. (It was a reckless, hurried run.)
  • She made a headlong dive into the icy water. (She dived into the water with her head leading.)

Advanced Usage

• "To plunge/rush/fall headlong into something": To engage in an activity or situation with reckless speed and without caution.
  • They plunged headlong into the argument.
• Used figuratively to describe a sudden, intense, and often unconsidered emotional state.
  • He fell headlong in love.

Variants and Related Words

• Headfirst (Adverb/Adjective): Often used interchangeably with 'headlong' for the "with the head foremost" meaning. (e.g., ).
• Precipitate (Adjective): Similar to the rash meaning of 'headlong'. (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Adverb (rashly): Recklessly, impetuously, hastily, precipitately.
• Adverb (headfirst): Headfirst.
• Adjective (rash): Reckless, hasty, impetuous, precipitate, foolhardy.

Related Phrases

• "At breakneck speed": Very fast and dangerously. This phrase is closely related to the manner implied by 'headlong'.
  • The car sped away headlong, at breakneck speed.

Related Idioms

• "Rush headlong": To proceed with reckless haste. This is a common collocation that functions as an idiom.
  • Don't rush headlong into signing the contract.

Adjective

1. with the head foremost
   • a headfirst plunge down the stairs
   • a headlong dive into the pool
2. excessively quick
   • made a hasty exit
   • a headlong rush to sell

Adverb

1. in a hasty and foolhardy manner
   • he fell headlong in love with his cousin
2. at breakneck speed
   • burst headlong through the gate
3. with the head foremost
   • the runner slid headlong into third base