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• head-on
  head-on

  adjective

  (of two objects) meeting with the fronts or heads foremost.
• head on
  head on

  With the face or front first, as in The two bicycles collided head on . [Early 1800s]

head-on

American  

[hed-on, -awn] / ˈhɛdˈɒn, -ˈɔn /

adjective

1. (of two objects) meeting with the fronts or heads foremost.

   a head-on collision.

2. facing the direction of forward motion or alignment; frontal.

3. characterized by direct opposition.

   a head-on confrontation.

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adverb

1. with the front or head foremost, especially in a collision.

   She stepped out of the front door and walked head-on into her husband.

head-on British  

adverb

1. with the front or fronts foremost

   a head-on collision

2. with directness or without compromise

   in his usual head-on fashion

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head on Idioms  

1. With the face or front first, as in The two bicycles collided head on . [Early 1800s]

2. In direct conflict, in open opposition, as in They decided to meet the opposition head on .

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Etymology

Origin of head-on

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

The company helped spark this in part by confronting these risks head-on.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

According to police, the Public Works street-sweeping truck was traveling south on Vista Del Mar on its scheduled route when a northbound SUV collided with it head-on.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

Using drone technology, the research team recorded sperm whales colliding head-on while also observing their surrounding social behavior.

From Science Daily • Mar. 23, 2026

"Taken together, these measures mark a decisive turning point for Ubisoft and reflect our determination to confront challenges head-on to reshape the Group for the long term".

From BBC • Jan. 22, 2026

Raindrops splattered across the windshield like flying bugs hitting head-on.

From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko

Related Words

• candidly
• honestly
• openly
• personally