head-on

UK: /ˌhɛdˈɒn/ US: (hed′on′, -ôn′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ˈhead-ˈon,  adj. 

1. meeting with the fronts or heads foremost:
   a head-on collision.
2. characterized by direct opposition:
   a head-on confrontation.

adv. 

3. with the front or head foremost.
4. in direct opposition.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

head-on  (hed′on′, -ôn′), adj. 

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.

adv. 

4. with the front or head foremost, esp. in a collision:
   She stepped out of the front door and walked head-on into her husband.

• 1830–40, American.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

head-on adverb , adjective

1. with the front or fronts foremost: a head-on collision
2. with directness or without compromise: in his usual head-on fashion