head-on

[ hed-on, -awn ]

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

adverb

1. with the front or fronts foremost

   a head-on collision

2. with directness or without compromise

   in his usual head-on fashion

Word History and Origins

Origin of head-on¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

Instead, the memes tackled the sexual assault allegations head-on.

From The Daily Beast

In 1951, two controversial Paramount films tackled the continued illegality of abortion head-on.

From The Daily Beast

I was really surprised because Head-On ha​d already been brought to the screen six years ago.

From The Daily Beast

By its final chapter The Tender Soldier addresses head-on the unrealistic expectations—and limitations—of a war-weary superpower.

From The Daily Beast

I wanted to meet a dangerous subject head-on with a dangerous character.

From The Daily Beast

The board bothered her, for she couldn't make a head-on attack on the fence, but it didn't bother her long.

From Project Gutenberg

Even as he looked a huge gray ape came bounding out, head-on toward Rajah, who despised these foolish beasts.

From Project Gutenberg

So engrossed was he in anger that he almost blundered head-on into the grinning red-head who lounged up the corridor toward him.

From Project Gutenberg

The general effect is similar to that produced by two ships having a head-on collision at ten miles per second.

From Project Gutenberg

She was almost out of sight around the planet when she ran head-on into it, and vanished in an awesome blaze.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• candidly
• honestly
• openly
• personally