sideburns

American  

[sahyd-burnz] / ˈsaɪdˌbɜrnz /

plural noun

1. short whiskers extending from the hairline to below the ears and worn with an unbearded chin.

2. the projections of the hairline forming a border on the face in front of each ear.

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sideburns British  

/ ˈsaɪdˌbɜːnz /

plural noun

1. Also called: sideboards.   side whiskers.   sidelevers.  a man's whiskers grown down either side of the face in front of the ears

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Etymology

Origin of sideburns

1885–90, alteration of burnsides

Example Sentences

BBC Radio 2's Mills joked: "I am playing the role of James from The Traitors, and my fake earring is absolutely killing me, although I am getting quite used to these really big sideburns!"

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

Meanwhile, his own campaign team cares more about the length of his sideburns than ideas in his head.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2025

The fulcrum of a cultural transition from vibrancy to stagnation was the 1970s, an era remembered now, if at all, for leisure suits, burnt-orange shag carpeting and muttonchop sideburns.

From Salon • Aug. 9, 2025

“Lauren is sure she doesn’t know what Gladstone’s sideburns looked like. What did Gladstone do? How racist was he? Does she have a problematic cat? This is perhaps not her most pressing issue.”

From Seattle Times • Apr. 8, 2024

Jon is tall, with sideburns and big hands.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood