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

“In fact, we believe hyperscalers are more likely to attempt head-on competition, going after GPU cloud business as the natural adjacency to traditional cloud,” which could cannibalize CoreWeave’s business.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 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

Masrob Ali, 54, from Blackburn, died when his taxi was involved in head-on collision with another car on Wigan Road in Bolton on Sunday.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2026

Fifteen people were injured when two trains crashed head-on Tuesday near the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, Peru's top tourist attraction, police and train operators said.

From Barron's • Dec. 30, 2025

People gave those riders a chance to get off the bus, and they didn’t, and I’m going to face intolerance head-on as well.

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers

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