buns: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal for slang meaning; neutral for bread meaning; informal/neutral for hair meaning.
Quick answer
What does “buns” mean?
The plural of 'bun', referring most commonly to small, round bread rolls, often sweetened or used for burgers/hot dogs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The plural of 'bun', referring most commonly to small, round bread rolls, often sweetened or used for burgers/hot dogs.
1) Hair tied in a bun hairstyle, especially when plural (e.g., 'two buns'). 2) Slang for buttocks (primarily North American).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK: Primarily bread/hair. 'Bun' for burger roll, 'Chelsea bun' for pastry. Slang for buttocks very rare. US: Bread meaning common. Slang for buttocks is well-established informal/casual usage.
Connotations
UK: Neutral/culinary for bread; neutral for hair. US: Neutral for bread; informal/colloquial, slightly humorous for buttocks.
Frequency
UK: Bread/hair high frequency; body part slang very low. US: Bread meaning high; body part slang medium in informal contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “buns” in a Sentence
[VERB] + buns (eat, bake, buy, have)[ADJ] + buns (sticky, sweet, wholemeal, cute)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “buns” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The bun recipe is easy.
- She has a bun hairstyle.
American English
- The bun fight was chaotic.
- He ordered a bun warmer.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in bakery/food retail contexts.
Academic
Very rare, except in historical/culinary studies.
Everyday
High frequency for bread/hair; moderate for slang (US).
Technical
Used in baking/culinary fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “buns”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “buns”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “buns”
- Using singular 'bun' to refer to buttocks (use plural).
- Using 'buns' slang in formal UK contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It's informal and colloquial, often humorous, not highly vulgar like some other terms. It can be slightly cheeky but is generally acceptable in casual conversation among friends in the US.
In the UK, 'bun' often implies a sweet, soft, individual cake or pastry (e.g., Chelsea bun, iced bun). 'Roll' is more general for a small bread loaf, often savoury (e.g., bread roll, dinner roll). However, 'burger bun' is common.
Typically, if the hair is gathered into one knot, it's 'a bun'. 'Buns' implies two or more separate knots, like 'space buns' or pigtail buns.
It's a case of polysemy. The basic meaning is a small, round mass. This shape metaphorically extended to hairstyles (a round knot) and, in slang, to the rounded buttocks.
The plural of 'bun', referring most commonly to small, round bread rolls, often sweetened or used for burgers/hot dogs.
Buns is usually informal for slang meaning; neutral for bread meaning; informal/neutral for hair meaning. in register.
Buns: in British English it is pronounced /bʌnz/, and in American English it is pronounced /bʌnz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Bun in the oven (pregnant)”
- “Have a bun in the oven”
- “Take the bun (archaic, be best)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Buns = BUNS: Bread Usually Needs Spreading; Buttocks Underneath, Normally Sitting.
Conceptual Metaphor
BUTTOCKS ARE BUNS (round, soft, paired).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'buns' most likely to refer to a part of the body?