Sideburns: Singular vs. Plural Usage in English

The word "sideburns" is a plural noun referring to the hair growing on the sides of the face, in front of the ears. However, in modern English, it is increasingly common to use "sideburn" as a singular count noun when referring to one side of the face.

Usage Examples

• Plural (traditional): "He has thick sideburns." / "She trimmed her sideburns."
• Singular (modern, per side): "He has a long sideburn on his left cheek." / "She trimmed her right sideburn."

Grammar Note

"Sideburns" originated as a plural-only noun (like "scissors" or "pants"), named after Civil War general Ambrose Burnside. Over time, back-formation created the singular "sideburn," which is now widely accepted in both casual and edited prose when referring to one side. Dictionaries including Merriam-Webster and Oxford now list "sideburn" as a singular noun.

Recommendation

Use "sideburns" for the pair collectively. Use "sideburn" (or "a sideburn") when specifying one side. Both are standard.