double-faced

[duhb-uhl-feyst]

adjective

1. practicing duplicity; hypocritical.

2. having two faces or aspects.

3. having two usable sides, especially two sides designed to be used in the same manner.

   double-faced adhesive tape.

double-faced

adjective

1. (of textiles) having a finished nap on each side; reversible

2. insincere or deceitful

Other Word Forms

• double-facedly adverb
• double-facedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of double-faced¹

First recorded in 1565–75

Example Sentences

"I worked with a lot of Italian boiled wools and double-faced satins. A lot of them stretched suedes, a lot of leather."

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The figure’s head draws from the highly stylized aesthetics of the Baule culture of the Ivory Coast — in this case, a double-faced mask, a symbol of duality.

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Biggers manages his own transformation by affixing a Baule double-faced mask to his anonymous hero’s head, adding Africa to the European mix.

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The documentary called Mr. Wang, the avid golfer, a “double-faced person.”

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Unlike his character, who strides around in long, double-faced wool red, cream and black trench coats, red pants and cashmere cardigans, the actor dresses in daily life with casual cool.

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