face value

American  

[feys val-yoo, feys val-yoo] / ˈfeɪs ˌvæl yu, ˈfeɪs ˈvæl yu /

noun

1. the value printed on the face of a stock, bond, or other financial instrument or document.

2. apparent value.

   Do not accept promises at face value.

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face value British  

noun

1. the value written or stamped on the face of a commercial paper or coin

2. apparent worth or value, as opposed to real worth

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face value Idioms  

1. see at face value.

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Etymology

Origin of face value

First recorded in 1875–80

Compare meaning

How does face-value compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• par value vs. face value

Example Sentences

Powell himself has also argued that the weakness in the labor market merely reflects a “cooling trend” — but he’s clearly not taking every economic report at face value these days.

From MarketWatch

Clayton Siegle, a senior fellow for energy security at the think tank the Center for Strategic and International Studies, says he takes such pronouncements "largely at face value".

From BBC

He had previously posted on Instagram that he wanted to buy three tickets and was "happy" to pay over the face value of £30 for each one.

From BBC

Dividends on the shares were suspended during the financial crisis and the shares are currently trading on the over-the-counter market below face value.

From The Wall Street Journal

McGarragle says that taking these numbers at face value, and assuming Algoma can capture 25% of the upside—which is roughly its percentage of Canadian capacity—implies solid upside potential to next year’s estimates.

From The Wall Street Journal