face
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.
a contorted expression or look that indicates ridicule, disgust, etc.; grimace: Go to bed right now, and don't you give me that face.
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.
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.
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 ba·by·face [bey-bee-feys] /ˈbeɪ bi ˌfeɪs/ .Professional Wrestling. a headlining wrestler who plays a heroic character and typically wins matches against the wrestler playing a villainous role.: Compare heel3 (def. 2).
Also called work·ing face [wur-king feys] /ˈwɜr kɪŋ ˌfeɪs/ .Mining. the front or end of a drift or excavation, where the material is being or was last mined.
Printing.
the working surface of a type, of a plate, etc.
Also called type·face [tahyp-feys], /ˈtaɪpˌfeɪs/, type·style [tahyp-stahyl] /ˈtaɪpˌstaɪl/ . 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.
Also called type·face, type·style . the general style or appearance of type: broad or narrow face.
Nautical, Aeronautics. the rear or after side of a propeller blade (opposed to back1 def. 12).
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 (def. 3).
Archaic. sight; presence: to flee from the face of the enemy.
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 or out): 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.
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.
to turn or be turned (often followed by to or toward): She faced toward the sea.
to be placed with the front in a certain direction (often followed by on, to, or toward): 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 by off).
face down, to confront boldly or intimidate (an opponent, critic, etc.).
face off,
to confront, fight, or compete against each other as opponents: The presidential nominees will face off at the debates tomorrow night.
Ice Hockey. to start a game or period by dropping the puck into play between two opposing players.
Idioms about face
face the music. music (def. 9).
face to face,
facing or opposite one another: We sat face to face at the table.
in an open, personal meeting or confrontation: The leaders spoke face to face about a reduction in nuclear arms.
face to face with, in close proximity to; narrowly escaping; confronting: face to face with death.
fly in the face of. fly2 (def. 35).
get out of someone's face,Informal. 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 someone’s face,
in a confrontational way that shows annoyance or contempt: When I asked for money, he just laughed in my face.
Informal. confrontational toward someone, as by criticizing or annoying persistently: My dad got in my face about my bad grades.
in the face of,
in spite of; notwithstanding: She persevered in the face of many obstacles.
when confronted with: They were steadfast in the face of disaster.
in your face, Informal. See entry at in your face.
lose face, to suffer disgrace, humiliation, or embarrassment: It was impossible to apologize publicly without losing face.
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.
on the face of it, to outward appearances; superficially; seemingly: On the face of it, there was no hope for a comeback.
put on a bold face, to give the appearance of confidence or assurance: Everyone knew that he had been fired, even though he put on a bold face.: Also put a bold face on .
save face, to avoid disgrace, humiliation, or embarrassment: She tried to save face by saying that the bill had never arrived.
set one's face against, to disapprove strongly of; oppose: My dad has set his face against my becoming an actress.
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.
Origin of face
1synonym study For face
Other words for face
Other words from face
- face·a·ble, adjective
- sub·face, noun
- un·der·face, noun
- un·der·face, verb (used with object), un·der·faced, un·der·fac·ing.
- un·face·a·ble, adjective
Words Nearby face
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use face in a sentence
In the post, featuring a picture of the two hugging closely with smiles plastered on their faces, the Next Friday star lamented his father’s passing and expressed gratitude for the memories they shared.
Mike Epps Mourns The Loss Of His Father Weeks After His Mother’s Passing | Brande Victorian | February 12, 2021 | Essence.comIt takes fearlessness to go head to head with a giant company, but it’s important to stand up in the face of what can be overwhelming.
A feminine wash for teens? Angry parents and gynecologists are on a social media crusade. | Abigail Higgins | February 12, 2021 | Washington PostThere’s the pain in Coach Mark Few’s face on ESPN in March when the tournament cancellation happened, his smashing team done at 31-2.
College basketball’s kingdoms have gone haywire — in case you just started paying attention | Chuck Culpepper | February 12, 2021 | Washington PostI normally connect with a guy face to face, which makes the interaction more organic.
When you breathe in, you should feel suction up against your face.
Masks should fit better or be doubled up to protect against coronavirus variants, CDC says | Lena H. Sun, Fenit Nirappil | February 11, 2021 | Washington Post
In that photo, Merabet has a big smile that spreads across his whole face and lights up his eyes.
Cassandra, whose hair has already begun to fall out from her court-mandated chemotherapy, could face a similar outcome.
They know they will face either a swift backlash or deafening silence.
Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers | Stereo Williams | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThey are to face oppression with humble persistence and absolute conviction.
She narrowed her eyes, bit her lip as if to chew over the question, and whisked some stray blond hairs away from her face.
Powerful Congressman Writes About ‘Fleshy Breasts’ | Asawin Suebsaeng | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTIt is most peculiar, and when he plays that way, the most bewitching little expression comes over his face.
Music-Study in Germany | Amy FayBernard stood there face to face with Mrs. Vivian, whose eyes seemed to plead with him more than ever.
Confidence | Henry JamesA Yankee, whose face had been mauled in a pot-house brawl, assured General Jackson that he had received his scars in battle.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | VariousWith a suffocating gasp, she fell back into the chair on which she sat, and covered her face with her hands.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterJoe looked at her with a smile, his face still solemn and serious for all its youth and the fires of new-lit hope behind his eyes.
The Bondboy | George W. (George Washington) Ogden
British Dictionary definitions for face (1 of 2)
/ (feɪs) /
the front of the head from the forehead to the lower jaw; visage
(as modifier): face flannel; face cream
the expression of the countenance; look: a sad face
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
the exposed area of a mine from which coal, ore, etc, may be mined
(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
British slang a well-known or important person
Also called: typeface printing
the printing surface of any type character
the style, the design, or sometimes the size of any type fount
the print made from type
nautical aeronautics the aft or near side of a propeller blade
fly in the face of to act in defiance of
in one's face directly opposite or against one
in face of or in the face of despite
look someone in the face to look directly at a person without fear or shame
on the face of it to all appearances
set one's face against to oppose with determination
show one's face to make an appearance
shut one's face slang (often imperative) to be silent
to someone's face in someone's presence; directly and openly: I told him the truth to his face
until one is blue in the face informal to the utmost degree; indefinitely
(when intr, often foll by to, towards, or on) 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, mainly US to order (a formation) to turn in a certain direction or (of a formation) to turn as required: right face!
ice hockey
(of the referee) to drop (the puck) between two opposing players, as when starting or restarting play: See also face-off
to start or restart play in this manner
face the music informal to confront the consequences of one's actions
Origin of face
1- See also face down, face out, face up to
Derived forms of face
- faceable, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for FACE (2 of 2)
Fellow of the Australian College of Education
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for face
[ fās ]
A plane surface of a geometric solid. A cube has 6 faces; a dodecahedron, 12.
Any of the surfaces of a rock or crystal.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with face
In addition to the idioms beginning with face
- face down
- face it
- face the music
- face to face
- face up
- face up to
- face value
- face with
also see:
- 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
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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