View synonyms for FACE

face

[feys]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the front part of the head, from the forehead to the chin.
a look or expression on the front part of the head.
She wore a sad face.
Synonyms: mien, aspect, countenance, appearance
a contorted expression or look that indicates ridicule, disgust, etc.; grimace.
Go to bed right now, and don't you give me that face.
cosmetics; makeup.
Excuse me while I go to the powder room to put on my face.
impudence; boldness.
It shocks me that you'd have the face to ask such a rude question.
outward appearance.
These are just old problems with new faces.
someone who represents or speaks on behalf of a company or product; spokesperson.
Steve Jobs was the face of Apple computers.
outward show or pretense, especially as a means of preserving one's dignity or of concealing a detrimental fact, condition, etc..
Though shamed beyond words, he managed to show a bold face.
Synonyms: exterior
good reputation; standing; prestige.
They hushed up the family scandal to preserve face.
the amount specified in a bill or note, exclusive of interest.
the manifest sense or express terms, as of a document.
the geographic characteristics or general appearance of a land surface.
the surface.
the face of the earth.
the side, or part of a side, upon which the use of a thing depends.
the clock's face;
the face of a playing card.
the most important or most frequently seen side; front.
the face of a building.
Synonyms: facade
the outer or upper side of a fabric; right side.
the acting, striking, or working surface of an implement, tool, etc.
Geometry., any of the bounding surfaces of a solid figure.
A cube has six faces.
Also called babyface. Professional Wrestling., a headlining wrestler who plays a heroic character and typically wins matches against the wrestler playing a villainous role.
Also called working face. Mining., the front or end of a drift or excavation, where the material is being or was last mined.
Printing.
1. the working surface of a type, of a plate, etc.
2. Also called typeface. Also called typestyle. any design of type, including a full range of characters, as letters, numbers, and marks of punctuation, in all sizes.
  Garamond is one of the most popular faces.
3. Also called typeface,. Also called typestyle. the general style or appearance of type.
  broad or narrow face.
Nautical, Aeronautics., the rear or after side of a propeller blade (back ).
Fortification., either of the two outer sides that form the salient angle of a bastion or the like.
Crystallography., any of the plane surfaces of a crystal.
Electronics., faceplate.
Archaic., sight; presence.
to flee from the face of the enemy.

verb (used with object)

faced, facing

to look toward or in the direction of.
When speaking, remember to face the light.
to have the front toward or permit a view of.
The building faces Fifth Avenue.
The bedroom faces the park.
to confront directly.
to be faced with a problem;
to face the future confidently.
to confront courageously, boldly, or impudently (usually followed by down orout ).
He could always face down his detractors.
to oppose or to meet defiantly.
We face fearful odds in this battle.
Army faces Navy in today's football game.
to cover or partly cover with a different material in front.
They faced the old wooden house with brick.
Synonyms: veneer
to finish the edge of a garment with facing, a piece of fabric added for ornament or strengthening.
to turn the front of (a playing card) upward.
to dress or smooth the surface of (a stone or the like).
to cause (soldiers) to turn to the right, left, or in the opposite direction.
Ice Hockey., (of a referee) to put (the puck) in play by dropping it between two opposing players each having a stick on the ice and facing the goal of the opponent.

verb (used without object)

faced, facing

to turn or be turned (often followed by to ortoward ).
She faced toward the sea.
to be placed with the front in a certain direction (often followed by on, to, ortoward ).
The house faces on the street.
The barn faces south.
to turn to the right, left, or in the opposite direction.
Left face!
Ice Hockey., to face the puck; put the puck in play (often followed byoff ).

verb phrase

face up to
1. to acknowledge; admit.
  to face up to the facts.
2. to meet courageously; confront.
  He refused to face up to his problems.
face off
1. to confront, fight, or compete against each other as opponents.
  The presidential nominees will face off at the debates tomorrow night.
2. Ice Hockey., to start a game or period by dropping the puck into play between two opposing players.
face down, to confront boldly or intimidate (an opponent, critic, etc.).

FACE

abbreviation

Fellow of the Australian College of Education

face

/ feɪs /

noun

1. the front of the head from the forehead to the lower jaw; visage
2. ( as modifier )
  face flannel
  face cream
1. the expression of the countenance; look
  a sad face
2. a distorted expression, esp to indicate disgust; grimace
  she made a face
informal, make-up (esp in the phrase put one's face on )
outward appearance
the face of the countryside is changing
appearance or pretence (esp in the phrases put a bold, good, bad, etc, face on )
worth in the eyes of others; dignity (esp in the phrases lose or save face )
informal, impudence or effrontery
the main side of an object, building, etc, or the front
the face of a palace
a cliff face
the marked surface of an instrument, esp the dial of a timepiece
the functional or working side of an object, as of a tool or playing card
1. the exposed area of a mine from which coal, ore, etc, may be mined
2. ( as modifier )
  face worker
the uppermost part or surface
the face of the earth
Also called: side. any one of the plane surfaces of a crystal or other solid figure
mountaineering a steep side of a mountain, bounded by ridges
either of the surfaces of a coin, esp the one that bears the head of a ruler
slang, a well-known or important person
Also called: typeface. printing
1. the printing surface of any type character
2. the style, the design, or sometimes the size of any type fount
3. the print made from type
nautical aeronautics the aft or near side of a propeller blade
to act in defiance of
directly opposite or against one
despite
to look directly at a person without fear or shame
to all appearances
to oppose with determination
to make an appearance
slang, (often imperative) to be silent
in someone's presence; directly and openly
I told him the truth to his face
informal, to the utmost degree; indefinitely

verb

to look or be situated or placed (in a specified direction)
the house faces on the square
to be opposite
facing page 9
(tr) to meet or be confronted by
in his work he faces many problems
(tr) to accept or deal with something
let's face it, you're finished
(tr) to provide with a surface of a different material
the cuffs were faced with velvet
to dress the surface of (stone or other material)
(tr) to expose (a card) with the face uppermost
military to order (a formation) to turn in a certain direction or (of a formation) to turn as required
right face!
ice hockey
1. (of the referee) to drop (the puck) between two opposing players, as when starting or restarting play See also face-off
2. to start or restart play in this manner
informal, to confront the consequences of one's actions

face

A plane surface of a geometric solid. A cube has 6 faces; a dodecahedron, 12.
Any of the surfaces of a rock or crystal.

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Other Word Forms

faceable adjective
subface noun
underface verb (used with object)
unfaceable adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of FACE¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English noun face, fas, from Anglo-French, Old French, from unattested Vulgar Latin facia, for Latin faciēs “appearance” ( facies ); verb derivative of the noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of FACE¹

C13: from Old French, from Vulgar Latin facia (unattested), from Latin faciēs form, related to facere to make

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

in someone’s face,
1. in a confrontational way that shows annoyance or contempt.
  When I asked for money, he just laughed in my face.
2. Informal. confrontational toward someone, as by criticizing or annoying persistently.
  My dad got in my face about my bad grades.
in the face of,
1. in spite of; notwithstanding.
  She persevered in the face of many obstacles.
2. when confronted with.
  They were steadfast in the face of disaster.
on the face of it, to outward appearances; superficially; seemingly.
On the face of it, there was no hope for a comeback.
face to face with, in close proximity to; narrowly escaping; confronting.
face to face with death.
show one's face, to make an appearance; be seen.
I would be ashamed to show my face in such an outlandish outfit.
Just show your face at the party and then you can leave.
face the music. music.
lose face, to suffer disgrace, humiliation, or embarrassment.
It was impossible to apologize publicly without losing face.
set one's face against, to disapprove strongly of; oppose.
My dad has set his face against my becoming an actress.
get out of someone's face, to go away and stop annoying or badgering someone (usually used imperatively); leave someone in peace.
Get out of my face, I'm busy here!
I know I have to pay up, I just wish they'd get out of my face about it.
in your face, in your face.
to one's face, in one's presence; brazenly; directly.
Tell him to his face that he's a liar!
save face, to avoid disgrace, humiliation, or embarrassment.
She tried to save face by saying that the bill had never arrived.
make a face, to grimace, as in distaste or contempt; contort one's face in order to convey a feeling or to amuse another.
She made a face when she was told the work wasn't finished.
The children made me laugh by making faces.
put on a bold face, to give the appearance of confidence or assurance: Also put a bold face on
Everyone knew that he had been fired, even though he put on a bold face.
fly in the face of. fly.
face to face,
1. facing or opposite one another.
  We sat face to face at the table.
2. in an open, personal meeting or confrontation.
  The leaders spoke face to face about a reduction in nuclear arms.

More idioms and phrases containing FACE

at face value
blue in the face
brave face
do an about-face
egg on one's face
feed one's face
fly in the face of
hide one's face
in someone's face
in the face of
in your face
keep a straight face
laugh out of the other side of one's mouth (face)
long face
look someone in the face
lose face
make a face
on the face of it
plain as day (the nose on your face)
poker face
put one's face on
red in the face
save face
set one's face against
show one's face
slap in the face
stare in the face
stuff one's face
talk one's arm off (until blue in the face)
throw in someone's face
to someone's face

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Synonym Study

Face, countenance, visage refer to the front of the (usually human) head. The face is the combination of the features: a face with broad cheekbones. Countenance, a more formal word, denotes the face as it is affected by or reveals the state of mind, and hence often signifies the look or expression on the face: a thoughtful countenance. Visage, still more formal, refers to the face as seen in a certain aspect, especially as revealing seriousness or severity: a stern visage.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Thanks to the late Ian Holm’s face being digitally superimposed over that of Daniel Betts, we’re primed to recognize that Rook is up to no good.

From Salon

Moments later, Suarez was involved in an altercation with Sounders director of security Gene Ramirez and was held back by team-mate Oscar Ustari before spitting in Ramirez's face.

From BBC

But Djed Spence, Elliot Anderson and Jarell Quansah could also make their debuts after being named in the current squad to face Andorra and Serbia.

From BBC

The Spanish-Georgian wants to follow in the footsteps of Conor McGregor and box against his idol Canelo Álvarez, who will face Terence Crawford in September in Las Vegas.

From Los Angeles Times

The three-dimensional sign was installed as part of an $80-million face lift of the airport’s main entrance ahead of the Democratic National Convention in 2000.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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When To Use

What is a basic definition of face?

Face refers to the front of the head, from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin. Face also refers to an expression that someone makes using their face. Face is also used as a verb to mean to confront something directly. Face has a large number of other senses as a noun and a verb.Your face consists of your forehead, eyebrows, eyes, eyelashes, nose, cheeks, mouth, lips, chin, and any facial hair, freckles, or other marks on the front of your head. Your ears may or may not be considered part of your face.The word face usually refers to a human head, but it’s also used to describe the front of the head of animals that have features similar to a human face, such as cats and apes.

Real-life examples: You have a face. Halloween masks often resemble ugly or scary faces. Clowns like to throw pies at people’s faces.

Used in a sentence: The actor could see many familiar faces in the audience.

The word face also refers to an expression or appearance that a person creates using their face.

Real-life examples: Parents make funny faces to make their children laugh. A smiling person has a happy face. Horror movies cause many people to make a scared face.

Used in a sentence: Gretchen puts on a happy face even when she feels sad.

As a verb, face is used to mean to confront someone or something directly. If you face your fears, you are trying to deal with them instead of ignoring them. Sometimes, face is used in a similar sense to specifically mean you are confronting an enemy. Criminals, for example, are often forced to face justice even though they really don’t want to.

Real-life examples: People are often faced with problems and obstacles they must solve. Experts often tell people to face the facts and not ignore or deny them.

Used in a sentence: Roger had to face the harsh reality that his girlfriend had left him.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

facadism face-ache

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