# Bangs

/ˈbæŋz/ (US) · /bˈæŋz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bangs
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. hair over the forehead

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

hair that is cut so that it hangs down over your forehead.

For teachers: hair cut straight across the forehead, or a hairstyle featuring such hair. Usually plural in this sense.

- She decided to cut her bangs herself in the bathroom mirror.
- The stylist suggested that blunt bangs would complement her face shape better than a side-swept fringe.

Teaching tip: In British English, this is almost always called a 'fringe'. 'Bangs' is the standard term in American and Canadian English.

## Examples

- She got new bangs to change her look.
- The stylist trimmed her bangs so they rested just above her eyebrows.
- Her sharp, dark bangs created a striking contrast against her pale skin, drawing immediate attention to her eyes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.