Meaning

A person either admitted to a theatrical or musical performance without charge, or paid to attend..

Definitions by Sense

1. A person either admitted to a theatrical or musical performance without charge, or paid to attend.
2. An employee of a transport company, especially a pilot or flight attendant, traveling as a passenger for logistical reasons, for example to return home or travel to the next assignment.
3. Anyone traveling for free, without paying the expected fare.
4. A train or truck moved between cities with no passengers or freight, in order to make it available for service.
5. A person staying at a lodging, such as a hotel or boarding house, without paying rent; freeloader.
6. A stupid or boring person; dullard.
7. A tree or tree branch fixed in the bottom of a river or other navigable body of water, partially submerged or rising nearly the surface, by which boats are sometimes pierced and sunk; snag.
8. (slang) Driftwood.

Example Sentences

Among the Romans.... The free admission tickets were small ivory death's heads, and specimens of these are to be seen in the Museum of Naples. From this custom, it is stated, that we derive our word “Deadhead,” as denoting one who has a free entrance to places of amusement.

[…] we critics were not his fellow-guests, but simply deadheads whose business it was to "dress the house" and write puffs.

Are you my deadhead to Miami?

With the check came two through tickets—good on the railroad from Hawkeye to Washington via New York—and they were “deadhead” tickets, too, which had been given to Senator Dilworthy by the railway companies. Senators and representatives were paid thousands of dollars by the government for traveling expenses, but they always traveled “deadhead” both ways, and then did as any honorable, high-minded men would naturally do—declined to receive the mileage tendered them by the government. The Senator had plenty of railway passes, and could. easily spare two to Laura—one for herself and one for a male escort.

I reckon I won't take the vote of any deadhead passenger.

PASSENGER One who does not travel on a pass. (Antonym for Deadhead). From Eng. pass, to go, and Grk. endidomi, to give up. One who has to give up to go.

The yap that kicks and rings a deadhead call Must either spend or else get off the car.

For the Caput mortuum (or deadhead, in vulgar phrase) is apt to be furnished with a Venter vivus, or, as we may say, a lively appetite.

Word Forms

• deadheads
• deadheading
• deadheaded

Synonyms for deadhead

Related Words

When Should You Use Deadhead?

Use deadhead when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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