facial
Americanadjective
-
of the face.
facial expression.
-
for the face.
a facial cream.
noun
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.
Dr. John Walsh, a 57-year-old family physician in Cape Coral, Fla., was diagnosed with alpha-gal in November after having recurring episodes of facial swelling and breathing difficulties.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026
Symptoms can include fever, rash, facial paralysis, an irregular heartbeat and arthritis, according to the CDC.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2026
The scale-up plan involves rolling out static facial recognition across central London and having drone coverage in every London borough in a year's time, the Met said in a press release.
From Barron's • Jun. 24, 2026
Earlier research has linked depression to greater attention toward sad facial expressions.
From Science Daily • Jun. 17, 2026
Mal, coming across the deck, glanced at Christopher, who could see she was thinking the same thing as he was: Nighthand looked equal parts sea salt, blood, and facial hair.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
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.
