Jump to:

• 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.

---

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

---

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 .

---

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

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

Ben Wang delivers a breakthrough performance in the title role as a kid who tries to conquer his anxiety issues head-on by running for class president.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

The Covid-19 pandemic forced ACK to confront the digital age head-on, making its app free for a month, sparking a surge in readers.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

Settling scores in the deputy principal’s office might seem like a good idea to some, but Dad had always taught me it was better to face things head-on.

From "Ugly" by Robert Hoge

Related Words

• candidly
• honestly
• openly
• personally