face value

[feys val-yoo, feys val-yoo]

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.

face value

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of face value¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Idioms and Phrases

see at face value.

Example Sentences

Wall Street appeared to take the report at face value.

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Strike has an 8% dividend rate and trades at a steep discount to face value at 75 cents on the dollar, for a current yield of 11%.

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Díaz believes that “31 Minutos” benefited from evolving in front of a young audience who accepted the show’s peculiarities at face value.

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In September, a BBC investigation exposed a black market selling thousands of Premier League tickets at two to four times the face value.

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Resale platforms and ticket touts often list tickets at a huge mark-up on their face value price, sparking outrage from the music industry and fans alike.

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