sideburns

plural noun

side·​burns ˈsīd-ˌbərnz 

1

: side-whiskers

2

: continuations of the hairline in front of the ears

sideburned

ˈsīd-ˌbərnd 

adjective

Examples of sideburns in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And at her sideburns was another, smaller spit curl. —Gabi Thorne, Allure, 1 Sep. 2023

Diana’s father managed to save seven hairs from Elvis’s sideburns — putting them in the cellophane wrapping from a cigarette packet — and get the star’s autograph for his daughters back home in Little Rock. —John Kelly, Washington Post, 17 July 2023

Kerwin worked on his sideburns, while McIntosh tamed the mane. —Carita Rizzo, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Dec. 2022

Zenker, who sports long, pointed sideburns and jet-black hair, could pass as a rock musician. —Time, 9 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

anagram of burnsides

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sideburns

plural noun

side·​burns ˈsīd-ˌbərnz 

: hair growing on the side of the face in front of the ears

Etymology

an altered form of burnsides "long whiskers at the side of the face," named for Ambrose Everett Burnside 1824–1881 American general

Word Origin

During the American Civil War, the Union general Ambrose Everett Burnside became known for the long bushy whiskers he wore on the sides of his face. Burnside was a popular figure in the city of Washington during the early days of the war. His unusual appearance caught the public eye, and other men soon began growing long whiskers like his. Such whiskers, which became the fashion throughout America, were originally called burnsides after the general. By the 1880s the order of the two words comprising burnsides was reversed to give sideburns, probably by analogy with "side-whiskers."