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bang

bang

42 3.4
Short hair at the front that hangs over the forehead
  • noun
  • /bæŋ/
  • US
translation icon : flequillo
  • Paul's girlfriend had an enviable set of straight bangs to go with her straight long hair.

I'm very creative and I had this kind of like blunt bang.

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Examples

  • God knows why, but she must have curled her bangs; the rest of her hair was straight.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • His hair was cut like a bowl, with bangs that hung in his eyes.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • For the last time, you getting new bangs is not a fun surprise.

  • When did I cut bangs?

  • Hey, you fixed your bangs.

  • - I like her bangs.

  • Fluff your bangs a little bit.

  • Then she kissed him, her dark bangs brushing his nose, and walked down the ramp to the plane.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Her forehead was framed by brown bangs that made my stomach ache.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • She decided to cut her hair and add some bangs for a fresh look.

Synonyms

fringe
vsbang
  • UK
13 3.1

A short border of hair that hangs across the forehead

is the basic short front section rather than emphasising decorative border
bangs
vsbang
  • US
5 3.0

Hair at the front cut straight across the forehead

is identical in meaning but given as the singular written form
forelock
vsbang
1 7.2

A small piece of hair that falls over the forehead

is a cut short front section rather than a naturally growing lock
sticky-outy bangs
vsbang
  • Informal
9.9

Hair at the front of the head styled to stick out from the forehead

is the plain short front section that lies flat over the forehead

Idioms

with a bang
  • Informal
28 5.1

In an exciting way that attracts a lot of attention

12 6.0

End something in a memorable and exciting way

A good value for the money you spend

bang on
  • UK
3 7.4

Exactly right for a situation or need

2 4.6

To finish in an exciting and memorable way

To try many times to do something without success and feel frustrated

To make people work together by firmly telling them to stop arguing

bang to rights
  • Informal
9.9

Caught in the act with clear proof

slam-bang
  • Informal
8.6

In a sudden, loud, and forceful way

Compounds

big bang
  • Specialized
23 4.6

The moment when the universe begins to expand

bang-up job
  • Informal
15 4.2

A piece of work that is done very well

10 1.2

A sudden very loud noise often from an explosion or crash

Big Bang theory
  • Specialized
4 4.1

An idea that the universe began when a hot, very dense point expanded quickly

2 3.4

A loud sudden noise like an explosion

big-bang theory
  • Specialized
3.7

A scientific idea that the universe began in a huge explosion from one tiny hot point and is still expanding

5.5

A great performance that impresses people

bang-up plan
  • Informal
6.5

A very good plan that impresses people

slam-bang
  • Informal
8.1

Full of sudden, loud action and fast movement

Surface Forms

bang singular
bangs plural

Etymology

Bangs for the hair at the front likely comes from the idea of a quick straight cut (once called a 'bang' or 'bang-off'), so bangs are the hair cut straight across the forehead.