bun
buhn
Bun (noun) means a small round bread roll, often sweet, or used to hold a filling like a burger. Example: “She toasted the burger buns on the grill.”
noun
1
A small round bread roll, often sweet, or used to hold a filling like a burger.
"She toasted the burger buns on the grill."
"He grabbed a currant bun for breakfast."
2
A roll of hair gathered and pinned at the back or top of the head.
"The dancer wore her hair in a tight bun."
verb
1
To gather and tie hair into a bun.
"She bunned her hair before the workout."
How to use bun
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small bread roll, or a rolled-up hairstyle.
Common pairings
burger bun
hair in a bun
currant bun
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Word forms
- Plural
- buns
- Third person singular
- buns
- Past tense
- bunned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She toasted the burger _____ on the grill.
Etymology
From Middle English "bunne," probably via Old French bugne ("bump, fritter"), ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "lump" or "clump."
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “bun” mean?
The word “bun” means a small round bread roll, often sweet, or used to hold a filling like a burger. In plain terms, a small bread roll, or a rolled-up hairstyle.
How do you pronounce “bun”?
“Bun” is pronounced buhn (/bʌn/ in IPA).
How do you use “bun” in a sentence?
Here is “bun” used in a sentence: “She toasted the burger buns on the grill.”
What part of speech is “bun”?
Depending on how it is used, “bun” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bun” come from?
The word “bun” comes from Old French. From Middle English "bunne," probably via Old French bugne ("bump, fritter"), ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "lump" or "clump.".
Is “bun” a common word?
“Bun” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “bun” have?
“Bun” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small round bread roll, often sweet, or used to hold a filling like a burger.
What is the difference between a bun and a roll?
A bun is typically a small round bread roll, often sweet or used to hold a filling like a burger, while "roll" is a broader term covering small bread portions of many shapes. In practice the two words overlap heavily for burger and sandwich bread.
What does it mean to put your hair "in a bun"?
To put hair in a bun means to gather and tie it into a rounded knot at the back or top of the head, used both as a noun for the hairstyle and as a verb for the act of styling it.
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