face
1 of 2noun
ˈfās 
often attributive
1
a
: the front part of the head that in humans extends from the forehead to the chin and includes the mouth, nose, cheeks, and eyes
b
: the face as a means of identification : countenance
would know that face anywhere
2
archaic : presence, sight
3
a
: facial expression
a friendly face
b
: a facial expression of distaste or displeasure
he made a face when he saw the test results
c
: makeup sense 3a(1) —usually used in the phrase put one's face on
… I have never been the kind of woman who feels comfortable popping to the shops without putting my face on first.
Vicki Michelle
Vicki Michelle4
a(1)
: outward appearance
put a good face on it
(2)
: the aspect of something that is perceptible or obvious upon superficial examination
the theory is absurd on its face Kim Neely
Kim Neely b
: disguise, pretense
c(1)
: assurance, confidence
maintaining a firm face in spite of adversity
(2)
: effrontery
how anyone could have the face to ask that question
d
: dignity, prestige
afraid to lose face
5
: surface:
a(1)
: a front, upper, or outer surface
vanished from the face of the earth
(2)
: the front of something having two or four sides
the face of a clock
(3)
: facade
the face of a building
(4)
: an exposed surface of rock
(5)
: any of the plane surfaces that bound a geometric solid
A cube is a solid with six square faces.
b
: a surface specially prepared: such as
(1)
: the principal finished surface (as of a tool or implement)
The tendency of the belt is to slip over the face of the pulley in a counter clockwise direction. H. W. Harkness
H. W. HarknessCans are made from … thin sheets of steel lightly coated with tin. This tin coating serves two purposes: it covers the face of the steel sheet, preserving it from rust; and it acts as a medium by which parts of a sheet may be made to adhere to one another by soldering. B. S. Luh et al.
B. S. Luh et al. (2)
: the right side (as of cloth or leather)
(3)
: an inscribed, printed, or marked side
the two faces of a coin
c
: a striking surface (as of a tool)
the face of the golf club
the face of an anvil
d(1)
: the surface (as of type) that receives the ink and transfers it to the paper
(2)
: a style of type
6
: the end or wall of a mine tunnel, drift, or excavation at which work is progressing
7
: face value
8
a
: person
lots of new faces around here
b
professional wrestling : baby face sense 2
Randy Orton earned respect as a heel because of his cocky, overconfident persona. As a face, he's lost the smugness that defined his character and is struggling to find his identity. Rennie Detore
Rennie Detoreface
2 of 2verb
faced; facing
transitive verb
1
: to confront impudently
faced him with evidence of treachery
2
a
: to line near the edge especially with a different material
b
: to cover the front or surface of
faced the building with marble
3
: to meet face-to-face or in competition
The team will face a tough opponent in its next game.
4
a
: to stand or sit with the face toward
The teacher faced the class.
b
: to have the front oriented toward
a house facing the park
5
a
: to recognize and deal with straightforwardly
face the facts
b
: to master by confronting with determination —used with down
faced down his critics
6
a
: to have as a prospect : be confronted by
face a grim future
b
: to be a prospect or a source of concern for
the problems that face us
c
: to bring face-to-face
he was faced with ruin
7
: to make the surface of (something, such as a stone) flat or smooth
8
: to cause (troops) to face in a particular direction on command
The captain faced his company to the left.
intransitive verb
1
: to have the face or front turned in a specified direction
The house faced south.
2
: to turn the face in a specified direction
She faced to her left.
Synonyms
Noun
- countenance
- kisser [slang]
- mug
- pan [slang]
- puss [slang]
- visage
Verb
- front
- look (toward)
- point (toward)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun He has a round face. His face is familiar but I can't remember his name. I'll never forget the look on her face. He fell flat on his face. I didn't recognize any of the faces around the table. There are lots of new faces around the office. Verb The teacher faced the class. She turned around to face the window. He sat facing the wall. Turn and face to the east. The house faces the park. The living room faces the afternoon sun. My shoe was lying in the corner with its sole facing upward. The flower opens facing skyward. Look at the illustration on the facing page. Only by facing your problems can you hope to overcome them. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 12 Sep. 2022 Alicia had bruises on her face from the ensuing scuffle. San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2022 The video showcased the new sneakers with laughter in the background and showed Tomlin walking by with a grin on his face. Jaylon Thompson, USA TODAY, 11 Sep. 2022 This season looms as a pivotal chapter for a team that made the playoffs every year from 2018 to 2020, led the league in victories in 2019 — and fell on its face last season. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2022 As the stunt ended, TV cameras captured the queen walking to her seat clutching one of her trademark handbags, the faintest of smiles on her face. James Hookway, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 Over the last few months nearly a dozen and a half bikers after receiving citations from the Parma police left the scene with a smile on their face. John Benson, cleveland, 7 Sep. 2022 That look on his face just stayed with me for a couple of days. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2022 Prince Harry seemed especially thrilled to meet a small black and brown dog, sweetly petting the pup with a big grin on his face. Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2022 Paul Berger, WSJ, 14 Sep. 2022 Montgomery capped Cincinnati's day with a late 74-yard touchdown run. Cincinnati will face in-state rival Miami next Saturday at the Bengals' Paycor Stadium. Keith Jenkins, The Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2022 The Browns face Carolina and their former starting quarterback, Baker Mayfield, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Sunday at 1 p.m. cleveland, 9 Sep. 2022 The South Carolina Gamecocks face the Arkansas Razorbacks in a Week 2 college football game on Saturday at Razorback Stadium. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 7 Sep. 2022 Between the rivalry games, Alabama will be at Tennesse (Feb. 15), host Georgia (Feb. 18), travel to South Carolina (Feb. 22) and face Arkansas at home (Feb. 25). Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 7 Sep. 2022 Some families always face these challenges at the beginning of the school year. Parija Kavilanz, CNN, 4 Sep. 2022 Next week, the Spartans are set to face Central High School at home while West Albany will be traveling to battle Lebanon High School. Sam Misa, oregonlive, 3 Sep. 2022 Will the two schools actually want to face each other again at that point? Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2022 See More
Noun
LaChapelle interpreted the scripture into a portrait last year -- a nude male model sitting in front of a mirror, tears wet on his face, holding a phone with a distorted image of himself on the screen. Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 12 Sep. 2022 Alicia had bruises on her face from the ensuing scuffle. San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2022 The video showcased the new sneakers with laughter in the background and showed Tomlin walking by with a grin on his face. Jaylon Thompson, USA TODAY, 11 Sep. 2022 This season looms as a pivotal chapter for a team that made the playoffs every year from 2018 to 2020, led the league in victories in 2019 — and fell on its face last season. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2022 As the stunt ended, TV cameras captured the queen walking to her seat clutching one of her trademark handbags, the faintest of smiles on her face. James Hookway, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 Over the last few months nearly a dozen and a half bikers after receiving citations from the Parma police left the scene with a smile on their face. John Benson, cleveland, 7 Sep. 2022 That look on his face just stayed with me for a couple of days. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2022 Prince Harry seemed especially thrilled to meet a small black and brown dog, sweetly petting the pup with a big grin on his face. Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2022 Verb
The railroads face a deadline on Friday at 12:01 a.m. at which point two unions at an impasse over a new labor contract could walk out. Paul Berger, WSJ, 14 Sep. 2022 Montgomery capped Cincinnati's day with a late 74-yard touchdown run. Cincinnati will face in-state rival Miami next Saturday at the Bengals' Paycor Stadium. Keith Jenkins, The Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2022 The Browns face Carolina and their former starting quarterback, Baker Mayfield, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Sunday at 1 p.m. cleveland, 9 Sep. 2022 The South Carolina Gamecocks face the Arkansas Razorbacks in a Week 2 college football game on Saturday at Razorback Stadium. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 7 Sep. 2022 Between the rivalry games, Alabama will be at Tennesse (Feb. 15), host Georgia (Feb. 18), travel to South Carolina (Feb. 22) and face Arkansas at home (Feb. 25). Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 7 Sep. 2022 Some families always face these challenges at the beginning of the school year. Parija Kavilanz, CNN, 4 Sep. 2022 Next week, the Spartans are set to face Central High School at home while West Albany will be traveling to battle Lebanon High School. Sam Misa, oregonlive, 3 Sep. 2022 Will the two schools actually want to face each other again at that point? Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Vulgar Latin *facia (attested in early Medieval Latin as facia "portrait"), re-formation of Latin faciēs "appearance, aspect, form, human face," from fac-, stem of facere "to make, do" + -iēs, noun suffix, usually deverbal — more at fact
Verb
Middle English facen, verbal derivative of face face entry 1
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Phrases Containing face
Kids Definition
face 1 of 2
noun
ˈfās
1
: the front part of the head
2
: an expression of the face
a sad face
3
: outward appearance
It looks easy on the face of it.
4
: a funny or silly expression
5
: an expression showing displeasure
6
: respect entry 1 sense 1
He was afraid of losing face.
7
: a front, upper, or outer surface
8
: one of the flat surfaces that bound a solid
a face of a cube
face
2 of 2verb
faced; facing
1
: to have the front or face toward
The house faces east.
2
: to cover the front or surface of
The building will be faced with marble.
3
: to oppose with determination
face danger
Medical Definition
face
noun
ˈfās
often attributive
1
a
: the front part of the human head including the chin, mouth, nose, cheeks, eyes, and usually the forehead
b
: the corresponding part of the head of a lower animal
2
: surface
especially : a front, upper, or outer surface
Legal Definition
face
noun
1
a
: outward appearance
b
: the surface or superficial reading or meaning of something (as a document or statute) that does not take into account outside information
the face of [the] deed reveals that she had two purposes in mind State v. Rand, 366 A.2d 183 (1976)
—often used in the phrases on its face and on the face of State v. Rand, 366 A.2d 183 (1976)is…neutral on its face but has a discriminatory effect on women Marcia Coyle
Marcia Coyledid not see on the face of the amendment that it was precisely directed at public as distinguished from private destruction O'Brien v. United States, 376 F.2d 538 (1967)
O'Brien v. United States, 376 F.2d 538 (1967)2
: the inscribed or printed side of something (as a document)
broadly : the front side of something inscribed or printed on both sides
the face of a stock certificate
3
: face value
face 1 of 2
verb
1
as in to front
to stand or sit with the face or front toward the house faces the sparkling blue waters of the Pacific Ocean Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- front
- meet
- border
- overlook
- touch
- dominate
- bound
- rim
- margin
- point (toward)
- neighbor
- look (toward)
- fringe
- skirt
- adjoin
- abut
- command
- look down (on)
2
as in to confront
to oppose (something hostile or dangerous) with firmness or courage movie superheroes who are ever ready to face danger without blinking an eye Synonyms & Similar Words
- confront
- brave
- encounter
- breast
- beard
- dare
- front
- withstand
- brazen
- outface
- meet
- resist
- defy
- fight
- approach
- challenge
- stand
- outbrave
- affront
- stand up to
- corner
- battle
- face up (to)
- combat
- accost
- oppose
- repel
- square (off)
- contend (with)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- avoid
- duck
- dodge
- shirk
- shun
- shake
- sidestep
- evade
- escape
- eschew
- elude
- funk
3
as in to clad
to cover with something that protects we decided to face our old frame house with aluminum siding Synonyms & Similar Words
- clad
- clothe
- encase
- side
- skin
- dress
- sheath
- sheathe
- wrap
- veil
- surround
- garb
- robe
- array
- apparel
- mantle
- envelop
- embrace
- lap
- shroud
- overspread
- embower
- enclose
- blanket
- overlay
- swathe
- encompass
- enshroud
- embosom
- enwrap
- inclose
- invest
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- expose
- bare
- strip
- denude
- unswathe
4
as in to encounter
to enter into contest or conflict with the Boston Red Sox were eager to face their traditional rivals, the Yankees, in the play-offs Synonyms & Similar Words
- encounter
- meet
- battle
- fight
- engage
- rival
- take on
- contend
- oppose
- emulate
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- evade
- escape
- elude
- retreat
face
2 of 2noun
1
as in looks
the front part of the head the criminal hid his face from the news cameras as he slumped into the patrol car Synonyms & Similar Words
- looks
- appearance
- visage
- presence
- countenance
- expression
- features
- puss
- pan
- kisser
- mug
- aspect
- mien
- lineaments
- physiognomy
2
as in front
a forward part or surface the face of the store building has been altered many times over the years to meet changing tastes and needs Synonyms & Similar Words
- front
- forehead
- facade
- surface
- façade
- forepart
- skin
- outside
- veneer
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- back
- rear
- reverse
- inside
- interior
- rearward
- innards
3
as in grimace
a twisting of the facial features in disgust or disapproval it's rude to make a face when your dinner hostess offers you broccoli Synonyms & Similar Words
- grimace
- scowl
- frown
- mouth
- pout
- smirk
- look
- lower
- stare
- moue
- sneer
- wince
- squinch
- snarl
- mow
- glare
- flinch
- growl
- mug
- lour
- snoot
- rictus
- glower
- scoff
- simper
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- smile
- grin
- laugh
4
as in exterior
an outer part or layer a much-needed sandblasting revealed that the face of the old stone church is actually a pinkish granite Synonyms & Similar Words
- exterior
- surface
- front
- skin
- facing
- outside
- facade
- top
- shell
- veneer
- covering
- mask
- façade
- appearance
- cover
- disguise
- show
- semblance
- guise
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- interior
- inside
5
as in look
facial appearance regarded as an indication of mood or feeling a rainy day is no excuse for just moping around with a long face, so let's do something Synonyms & Similar Words
- look
- smile
- expression
- grin
- visage
- scowl
- countenance
- grimace
- frown
- mouth
- lower
- cast
- pout
- presence
- demeanor
- appearance
- bearing
- lour
- air
- mien
- aspect
- manner
6
as in appearance
outward and often deceptive indication on the face of it, the country went to war for noble reasons Synonyms & Similar Words
- appearance
- effect
- seeming
- outward
- impression
- first blush
- name
- show
- resemblance
- mask
- likeness
- semblance
- display
- implication
- surface
- pose
- image
- guise
- facade
- cloak
- front
- hint
- representation
- air
- suggestion
- pretense
- demonstration
- imitation
- exterior
- shape
- disguise
- masquerade
- insinuation
- simulation
- shell
- façade
- affectation
- fiction
- gloss
- veneer
- make-belief
- pretence
- imposture
- patina
- make-believe
- Potemkin village
7
as in person
a member of the human race I see they've hired some new faces Synonyms & Similar Words
- person
- life
- man
- guy
- creature
- body
- human
- being
- individual
- duck
- thing
- soul
- bird
- head
- egg
- stiff
- mortal
- baby
- fish
- sort
- character
- bod
- customer
- specimen
- personality
- personage
- human being
- devil
- party
- wight
- scout
- cookie
- fellow
- son of man
- cooky
- slob
- brother
- self
- somebody
- neighbor
- homo
- humanoid
- celebrity
- hominid
- fellowman
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- animal
- beast
- brute
- critter
- beastie
8
as in gall
shameless boldness you have to wonder how anyone has the face to ask such a personal question Synonyms & Similar Words
- gall
- nerve
- arrogance
- cheek
- temerity
- effrontery
- audacity
- brass
- crust
- presumption
- assurance
- confidence
- brashness
- pertness
- cheekiness
- audaciousness
- brazenness
- chutzpah
- nerviness
- sauciness
- presumptuousness
- hutzpah
- sauce
- brassiness
- hutzpa
- disrespect
- back talk
- chutzpa
- sanguinity
- cockiness
- overconfidence
- impudence
- hardihood
- sass
- inconsideration
- incivility
- impoliteness
- ungraciousness
- inconsiderateness
- insolence
- impertinence
- rudeness
- swagger
- self-assurance
- self-confidence
- discourteousness
- swash
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- bashfulness
- timidity
- shyness
- hesitancy
- modesty
- diffidence
- timorousness
- timidness
- manners
- faintheartedness
- courtesy
- graciousness
- civility
- gentility
- mannerliness
- courteousness
9
as in assurance
a state of mind in which one is free from doubt he managed to maintain face despite the endless series of crises Synonyms & Similar Words
- assurance
- certainty
- conviction
- confidence
- satisfaction
- positiveness
- certitude
- resolve
- surety
- assuredness
- doubtlessness
- determination
- cocksureness
- sureness
- resoluteness
- dogmatism
- authoritarianism
- resolution
- firmness
- decisiveness
- purposefulness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- uncertainty
- doubt
- disbelief
- hesitation
- incredulity
- concern
- hesitancy
- incertitude
- anxiety
- indecisiveness
- nonconfidence
- irresolution
- unbelief
- suspicion
- distrust
- mistrust
- misgiving
Phrases Containing face
- the eldest
- the Electoral College
- the end justifies the means
- the end of one's rope
- the end of one's tether
- the end of the line
- the end of the road
- the ends of the earth
- the English
- the Enlightenment
- the entire way
- the environment
- the equator
- the error of one's ways
- the establishment
- the ether
- the Eucharist
- the evening star
- the evil eye
- the exception rather than the rule
- the executive
- the eyes of the world
- the f-word
- the face of the earth
- the fact is