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:
After an Apple employee stepped in front of the screen’s camera to trigger facial recognition, a personalized array of apps and widgets appeared.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026
According to Mayo Clinic, the condition causes temporary weakness or paralysis of facial muscles, and Brolin felt there was “nothing else to blame” for the symptoms.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026
"So for example, people of colour, gender, queer people, people with kind of interesting and distinguishing facial features, it means that they're going to be left out," she said.
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026
As part of its efforts, China reportedly has put in place hundreds of facial recognition cameras, noted Rachel Minyoung Lee, senior fellow with the Stimson Center's 38 North.
From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026
She slid the phone back into her pocket and took a deep breath, trying to rearrange her facial features into a not guilty of snooping or any other illicit activity expression.
From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon
They have introduced a boutique spa for 2026 as they said demand for wellbeing activities continued to boom and it will offer treatment tents, facials and aromatherapy as "moments of serenity" for festival-goers.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
His firm, Leon Capital Group, even runs medical spas that help smooth the wrinkles of women and men seeking Botox treatments and fancy facials.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 24, 2026
Their services include massages, facials, body treatments, and salon services such as manicures and pedicures.
From Salon ● Jan. 13, 2026
Med spas all over Los Angeles now offer what they call salmon DNA facials.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 9, 2025
In the end, Edna looks like one of those ladies getting facials at a spa.
From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
