facial
Americanadjective
-
of the face.
facial expression.
-
for the face.
a facial cream.
noun
-
facials
plural
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of facial
1600–10; 1910–15 facial for def. 3; < Medieval Latin faciālis. See face, -al 1
Explanation
When you describe something as facial, it has to do with the face. Your facial expression is the smile — or frown — that you happen to be wearing on your face. Your facial features are made up of your eyes, nose, mouth, cheeks — everything that together comprises your whole face. When you use the word facial as a noun, it means a spa treatment that usually includes a deep cleaning and moisturizing of the face. You might decide to get a massage and a facial at the fancy resort hotel where you're spending a relaxing week. The Medieval Latin root is facialis, "of the face," from facies, "figure, appearance, or countenance."
Vocabulary lists containing facial
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.
See Examples For:
They would have to use "existing account information, facial age estimation, digital ID services and formal ID" to verify age.
From Barron's ● Aug. 24, 2026
It is not the first time a Sainsbury's facial recognition system - supplied by technology firm Facewatch - has led to an innocent shopper being challenged.
From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026
I studied her facial expressions, her commitment to a bit, her talent for comedy way beyond her years.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2026
The system relies on facial recognition and fingerprints instead of the age-old practice of getting your passport stamped at a booth.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026
Was there a common set of rules, he wondered, that governed the facial expressions that human beings made?
From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell
There are shops for laser facials, IV hydration and vitamin infusions, Botox and red-light therapy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 17, 2026
The spa offers everything from traditional services such as massages and facials to biohacking, IV drips and energy work.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 18, 2026
I’m the person who books facials on vacation, who will try whatever’s trending this month, who drives to San Gabriel for a treatment a TikToker described as “gua sha on steroids.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 9, 2025
Polynucleotides are being touted as the next big skincare "miracle" and are rapidly gaining popularity after a number of celebrities have spoken candidly about their "salmon sperm facials".
From BBC ● Nov. 21, 2025
In the end, Edna looks like one of those ladies getting facials at a spa.
From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina
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.
