face value
Americannoun
-
the value printed on the face of a stock, bond, or other financial instrument or document.
-
apparent value.
Do not accept promises at face value.
noun
-
the value written or stamped on the face of a commercial paper or coin
-
apparent worth or value, as opposed to real worth
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:
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The 35,000-capacity R.Premadasa Stadium was sold out for the clash, with tickets going for more than four times face value on the black market.
From Barron's
I appreciate how savvy you are to question whether you’re overpaying for the house, rather than simply taking everything at face value.
From MarketWatch
In Mexico, reselling a ticket above face value is prohibited, but only when the ticket is purchased in Mexico using the local currency.
From Barron's
The bill would impose price caps on tickets sold in the resale market, limiting prices to no more than 10% above the ticket’s face value.
From Los Angeles Times
So, he issued more of England’s silver coins at familiar face values, while gradually changing the base metal to mostly copper with silver coating.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.