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:
Now I understand that the reason is there’s too much information coming from their facial expressions for me to also pay attention to what they are saying.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2026
This method of food preparation could have made meals easier for someone suffering from severe facial injuries.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 31, 2026
For others, challenges with recognizing faces or understanding facial expressions can complicate everyday social interactions.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 28, 2026
Despite a major international police appeal and the use of ground-breaking facial reimaging techniques, his identity and the cause of his death remain a mystery.
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026
His expression is compressed as a pug’s, as though he’s trying to close his nostrils through facial muscles alone.
From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
It marries state-of-the-art technology with Old World wisdom, offering facials and poolside green tea masks.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026
There are shops for laser facials, IV hydration and vitamin infusions, Botox and red-light therapy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 17, 2026
Med spas all over Los Angeles now offer what they call salmon DNA facials.
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
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
