head shot (thunderstorm)

Short answer: Use headshot (one word) for a portrait photo. Other head combinations follow patterns: closed compounds name single things (headcount, headstrong), verbs stay separate (head up, head off), and hyphens appear when head modifies a following noun (head-first, heads-up).

Quick decision guide

Fast check: Photo or count → one word. Action or verb → separate words. Modifier before a noun → consider a hyphen.

Photo: headshot (one word).
Number: headcount (one word).
Verb/action: head up the meeting (two words).
Modifier before noun: a head-first dive (hyphenated).
Warning noun: a heads-up (hyphenated); as an interjection: "Heads up!" is fine.

Core explanation: how 'head' behaves

'Head' can be a noun (body part or leader), a verb (to lead or move), or the first element of a compound. When the combination names a single, stable thing, it often becomes one word. When it describes an action, it stays separate.

Noun compounds that name objects or counts often close: headshot, headcount, headstrong.
Verbs and phrasal verbs remain open: head up, head off, head into.
When 'head' modifies a following noun before that noun, use a hyphen to avoid confusion: head-first decision, head-on collision.

Examples: Wrong: "Please attach a head shot." / Right: "Please attach a headshot." - Wrong: "She will head-up the committee." / Right: "She will head up the committee."

Hyphenation: when to hyphenate 'head' compounds

Hyphens help when the compound appears before the noun it modifies or when clarity requires them. Avoid needless hyphenation for established closed forms.

Hyphenate modifiers before nouns: a head-first fall, a head-on tackle.
Hyphenate some noun phrases for clarity: a heads-up about the change.
Don't hyphenate established closed compounds: headshot, headcount, headstrong.

Examples: Correct: "The head-first fall injured him." - Wrong: "He gave a heads up about the delay." / Right: "He gave a heads-up about the delay."

Spacing: one word or two?

Ask two questions: Does the phrase name a single thing you can point to or count? Or does it describe an action? If it names a thing, a closed form is likely; if it describes doing something, keep the words separate.

One-word test: Can you replace the phrase with a single noun? (headshot → photo)
Action test: Can you add "to" and make a verb phrase? (to head up the team → action)
If unsure, check a current dictionary or your style guide.

Examples: Wrong: "We should take a head count." / Right: "We should take a headcount."

Grammar: noun vs verb vs compound - quick markers

Function determines form. If it's naming something (noun), check for a closed compound. If it's an action (verb), keep it open. If it's modifying a noun before it, consider a hyphen.

Noun → closed form likely: headshot, headcount.
Verb → open form: head up, head off, head into.
Modifier before noun → hyphenate: head-first, head-on.

Examples: Wrong: "He head the committee." / Right: "He heads the committee." or "He headed the committee."

Real usage and tone: work, school, and casual examples

Match form to audience: professional writing favors closed compounds and clear hyphenation; school writing follows regional terms; casual writing accepts informal forms but clarity still matters.

Work - Wrong/Right: Wrong: "Please send a head shot for the company profile." /
Right: "Please send a headshot for the company profile."
Work - Wrong/Right: Wrong: "We need to increase our head count before launch." /
Right: "We need to increase our headcount before launch."
School - Wrong/Right: Wrong: "For drama class, submit a head shot." /
Right: "For drama class, submit a headshot."
School - Regional: Wrong: "The head master will speak at assembly." / Right (UK): "The headmaster will speak at assembly." / Right (US): "The principal will speak at assembly."
Casual - Wrong/Right: Wrong: "He got a head shot in the match." /
Right: "He got a headshot in the match."
Casual - Warning: Wrong: "Heads up-I'm running late." /
Right: "Heads up - I'm running late." (as interjection; noun form: "Give me a heads-up")

Try your own sentence

Test the full sentence, not just the phrase. Context often makes the correct form clear.

Examples: frequent wrong/right pairs (expanded list)

Memorize these common slips. Each pair shows the typical error and the correct form.

Wrong: "Send over a head shot for the website." /
Right: "Send over a headshot for the website."
Wrong: "We should take a head count after the meeting." /
Right: "We should take a headcount after the meeting."
Wrong: "He's very head strong." /
Right: "He's very headstrong."
Wrong: "Heads up-I'll be late." /
Right: "Heads up - I'll be late." (interjection) / Noun form: "Give me a heads-up."
Wrong: "I need a head shot for my acting portfolio." /
Right: "I need a headshot for my acting portfolio."
Wrong: "He took a head-first tumble." /
Right: "He took a head-first tumble." (hyphenated modifier before noun)
Wrong: "We'll followup next week." / Right (verb): "We'll follow up next week." / Right (noun): "We'll have a follow-up next week."
Wrong: "Please sign-up for the workshop." / Right (verb): "Please sign up for the workshop." / Right (noun): "Complete the sign-up form."
Wrong: "The head-count rose unexpectedly." /
Right: "The headcount rose unexpectedly."
Wrong: "He fell head first." / Right (predicate): "He fell head first." / Right (before noun): "a head-first fall."

Rewrite help: step-by-step edits and ready-made rewrites

Editing checklist: 1) Decide: naming a thing or describing an action? 2) If a thing → check for a single-word compound. 3) If modifying a noun before it → consider a hyphen. 4) Match tone and regional usage.

Original (wrong): "Please send a head shot for the brochure." / Correct: "Please send a headshot for the brochure." / Tighter: "Attach a headshot for the brochure by Friday."
Original (wrong): "We need to check the head count before we begin." / Correct: "We need to check the headcount before we begin." / Tighter: "Confirm the headcount by 9 a.m."
Original (wrong): "Give me a head's up if plans change." / Correct: "Give me a heads-up if plans change." / Tighter: "Please give me a heads-up if plans change."
Original (wrong): "She will head-up product design." / Correct: "She will head up product design." / Tighter: "She will lead product design."
Original (wrong): "He is the head master of our school." / Correct (UK): "He is the headmaster of our school." / Tighter (US): "He is the school's principal."

Memory trick and quick rules

Two simple mnemonics:

Photo/count = fuse: headshot, headcount.
Action/lead = separate: head up, head off.
Hyphenate when 'head' comes before a noun as a modifier or when it prevents ambiguity: head-first, heads-up.

Similar mistakes to watch for

The same meaning-based test applies to other pairs: follow-up vs follow up, sign-up vs sign up, check-in vs check in. Regional usage also affects words like headteacher vs principal.

Noun/verb pairs: follow-up (noun) / follow up (verb); sign-up (noun) / sign up (verb).
Regional terms: headteacher (UK) vs principal (US).
When in doubt, follow a current dictionary or your organization's style guide for hyphenation and closed compounds.

FAQ

Is headshot one word or two?

Headshot is one word when you mean a portrait photograph focused on a person's face. Use headshot in both professional and casual contexts.

Should I write headcount or head count?

Headcount is normally one word when referring to the number of people. Use headcount in business and formal writing.

Is heads-up hyphenated?

As a noun or modifier, heads-up is commonly hyphenated ("Give me a heads-up"). As an interjection, "Heads up!" is commonly written without a hyphen.

Do I hyphenate head-first?

Yes, when it modifies a noun before the noun ("a head-first fall"). In predicate position, writers often drop the hyphen: "He fell head first."

How do I check my sentence quickly?

Decide whether the phrase names a thing or describes an action. If it names a thing, check for a closed form; if it describes an action, keep it separate. Use a dictionary or your style guide for edge cases.

Need a quick check?

Compare your sentence to the examples above, or paste it into the widget. Regularly using the correct closed forms (headshot, headcount) and the hyphen rules (heads-up, head-first) will make the right choices automatic.