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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

See Examples For:

head-on head on

At first, markets greeted the Fed’s rate hike with relief; President Trump had argued rates were already too high, and investors had worried that Warsh would hesitate to tackle rising prices head-on.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 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

“They’re entering a labor market that is increasingly challenging for entry-level roles in light of AI … and facing head-on a massive affordability challenge.”

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026

What Monica did, following her instincts, at dinner, I started to do on the page — confront the uncomfortable head-on.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026

The hand slipped away, and my roommate Yakov stepped around me to face Mrs. Brenner head-on.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

She put her head on his chest and closed her eyes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026

In commentary published late Thursday, Lee, the usually bullish head of research at Fundstrat, addresses the inflation issue head on.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 11, 2026

Do I have a sandbag to rest my head on while all this melee is happening around me?'

From Barron's ● Sep. 8, 2026

"Basildon should be robust and tackle it head on and not be afraid to use the full extent of the powers available to it," he says.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

I lean forward, laying my head on Midnight’s mane.

From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Related Words

• candidly
• honestly
• openly
• personally