baldheaded

Baldheaded is an adjective describing a person whose scalp is free of hair. It typically refers to someone who has either natural hair loss (alopecia) or who has shaved their head. In everyday usage, baldheaded conveys appearance rather than medical condition, and it may imply neither a positive nor negative judgment; the tone depends on the context. The term is most commonly written with a hyphen as bald-headed, but baldheaded as a closed compound also appears in some texts, especially in older or more informal writing.

Etymology and forms: The word combines bald with headed, following a common English pattern of attaching a descriptor to the head region. Variants include bald-headed and baldheaded; less common are bareheaded or hairless, which convey slightly different nuances.

Usage and cultural context: People may shave their heads for fashion, religious reasons, or practical considerations. In many cultures, a shaved head can symbolize discipline, ritual, or maturity; in others it may be a personal choice or a medical necessity during hair loss. In media and literature, baldheaded characters are described to emphasize appearance or to highlight traits such as sternness or boldness, though these associations are not universal.

See also: baldness, hair loss, shaved head, alopecia, bareheaded. This entry uses a descriptive, neutral approach; for medical discussion of hair loss, see alopecia.