facial

American  

[fey-shuhl] / ˈfeɪ ʃəl /

adjective

1. of the face.

   facial expression.

2. for the face.

   a facial cream.

---

noun

1. a treatment to beautify the face.

facial British  

/ ˈfeɪʃəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the face

---

noun

1. a beauty treatment for the face, involving cleansing, massage, and cosmetic packs

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• facialist
  noun
• facially
  adverb

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."

Related Words

• exterior
• outer
• outward
• shallow
• superficial