What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
headmaster
Example
The headmaster announced the new school policies. [headmaster: noun]
Example
He was appointed as the headmaster of the prestigious boarding school. [headmaster: noun]
headmistress
Example
The headmistress welcomed the new students on their first day of school. [headmistress: noun]
Example
She was promoted to headmistress after serving as a teacher for many years. [headmistress: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Headmaster is more commonly used than headmistress in everyday language, although this may change as society becomes more gender-inclusive.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between headmaster and headmistress?
Both headmaster and headmistress are formal terms used in educational settings. However, the formality level may vary depending on the context and audience.
