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

But home entry "Barbara" is the critics' early favorite to win the Golden Bear for best picture at the closing ceremony on Saturday, which would be the first German winner since "Head-On" in 2004.

From Reuters • Feb. 13, 2012

Fatih Akin, the acclaimed director of "Head-On" and "The Edge of Heaven," will premiere "Soul Kitchen," a comedy set in Germany.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 15, 2010

Related Words

• candidly
• honestly
• openly
• personally