Meaning & use
in a bun
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
(of hair) arranged in a round, tight style at the back or top of the head.
Grammar: Used after verbs like wear, have, or put: She wore her hair in a bun.
Patterns
- wear your hair in a bun
- have your hair in a bun
- put your hair in a bun
She always wears her hair in a bun when she exercises.
He put his hair in a bun before the exam.
The dancer had her hair in a tight bun.
phrasefixed phrase
(of food) served inside a round bread roll.
Grammar: Used after nouns like burger, hot dog, or sausage: a burger in a bun.
Patterns
- a burger in a bun
- serve something in a bun
The hot dog came in a soft bun.
He ordered a sausage in a bun with mustard.
Common combinations
- hair in a bun
- She tied her hair in a bun.
- wear your hair in a bun
- Many nurses wear their hair in a bun.
- burger in a bun
- The burger in a bun was juicy and hot.
- put your hair in a bun
- Can you put your hair in a bun for the photo?
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- bun noun
- A round bread roll or a hairstyle.
Commonly confused: in a bun or in the oven?
in a bun vs in the oven
Refers to cooking, not to hairstyle or serving food in bread.
Practice
She usually ______ her hair in a bun for work.
Choose one answer.
The common phrase is 'wear your hair in a bun'. 'Put' is possible with 'put your hair in a bun', but 'wears' is the most natural with 'usually' and the possessive 'her'. 'Ties' would need 'ties her hair back in a bun', and 'makes' does not fit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “in a bun”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.