face-to-face

[ feys-tuh-feys ]

adjective

1. with the fronts or faces toward each other, especially when close together.
2. involving close contact or direct opposition:

   a face-to-face confrontation of adversaries.

3. noting, relating to, or promoting interaction that takes place in person, as opposed to online interaction or electronic communications: : f2f, F2F, FTF, ftf

   face-to-face classrooms.

face to face

adverb

1. opposite one another
2. in confrontation

Word History and Origins

Origin of face-to-face¹

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50

Example Sentences

With students so plugged in and digital that they spend less time interacting with each other face-to-face, she didn't have many opportunities to increase her circle of friends.

From BBC

During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients went without routine face-to-face health checks, which are important for detecting common cardiometabolic conditions, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

From Science Daily

The advent of remote work and life has accelerated a worrisome 21st-century trend: We now spend 90 fewer minutes a week socializing face-to-face than we did in 2003.

From Slate

"Automating note-taking for patient data is crucial for doctors and radiologists, as it gives the doctors more face-to-face time with patients and allows for better data collection," Kostek says.

From Science Daily

Bentancur, who denied the charge, was fined £100,000 and ordered to undergo a face-to-face education programme.

From BBC

Related Words

• eye to eye