head-on
adjective
(of two objects) meeting with the fronts or heads foremost.
head-on
American
[hed-on, -awn]
/ ˈhɛdˈɒn, -ˈɔn /
adjective
-
(of two objects) meeting with the fronts or heads foremost.
a head-on collision.
-
facing the direction of forward motion or alignment; frontal.
-
characterized by direct opposition.
a head-on confrontation.
adverb
head-on
British
adverb
-
with the front or fronts foremost
a head-on collision
-
with directness or without compromise
in his usual head-on fashion
head on
Idioms
-
With the face or front first, as in The two bicycles collided head on . [Early 1800s]
-
In direct conflict, in open opposition, as in They decided to meet the opposition head on .
Etymology
Origin of head-on
An Americanism dating back to 1830–40
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The British Beauty Council said the government should be congratulated for tackling the issue head-on.
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026
"Other types of aggressive behaviors, like head-on displays, are more about communication and social assessment and require very little energy."
From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026
The patriarch mentioned these two obstacles intentionally, and a joint international commission plans to examine them head-on over the next several years.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
A good legal brief takes on the strongest argument of the other side and deals with it head-on.
From Slate ● Sep. 15, 2026
But then I remembered my dream of Zoe and Hercules, and how Hercules had failed in a head-on assault.
From "The Titan's Curse" by Rick Riordan
One in 2011 involved an Iraq War veteran who was ejected from a ride in New York and hit his head on the car.
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026
It was Disney Day at Sierra Canyon High, so standout sophomore linebacker Eli Zamorano showed up at football practice wearing Mickey Mouse ears atop his head on Monday.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026
The fish arrived at the table whole, head on, its sharp teeth still plainly visible.
From Salon ● Sep. 27, 2026
She put her head on his chest and closed her eyes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026
I yelped and flopped out of the straw, hitting my head on the floor with a loud crack.
From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
