Is it “headquarter” or “headquarters”?

You’re in a meeting, about to mention your company’s main office. You reach for the word and pause. Is it “headquarter” or “headquarters“?

It’s always ‘headquarters‘, with the ‘s’. English keeps it even when you mean a single building. (German drops it, which is exactly why the ‘s’ often goes missing.)

So both of these are fine: “Our headquarters is in Munich” or “Our headquarters are in Munich“. Singular or plural verb, your choice. The ‘s’ stays either way.

And if you’d rather sidestep it, “head office” works just as well and sounds simpler.

Quick win: Next time you mean the main office, say “headquarters” or “head office“. Both are right, and no one will blink.

💬 Which English word always trips you up?