face value

American  

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

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

See Examples For:

face value

Damodaran’s own analysis took the company’s numbers more at face value than the bot did, which pushed back against some of the assumptions.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026

Here, the promise that local law enforcement keeps people safe is often hard for residents to take at face value.

From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026

More than a thousand tickets remain available on the Fifa resale site, several around face value plus the Fifa fee.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

The problem now is that mNAV overstates Strategy’s enterprise value—the ratio’s numerator—by using the face value of its debt and preferred stock rather than their market value.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026

Freaks at first sight, who have learned to take the world at face value.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver