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.
See Examples For:
Dermatologists say clients are increasingly asking for treatments that help preserve fine lines and facial expression.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
"I could be incredibly happy, angry, upset, or remorseful, and my facial expressions and tone of voice would essentially remain the same."
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
District Court of Maine, alleging that federal agents are using facial recognition and license plate readers to surveil and threaten legal observers in the state.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
Over the next month, he underwent three surgeries, including for an infection and facial reconstruction.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
I would listen to the words and watch the facial expressions and reactions to figure out what things meant.
From "How Dare the Sun Rise" by Sandra Uwiringiyimana
Animal-derived skin care products are gaining popularity, from salmon sperm facials to moisturizers made with beef tallow — the fat around a cow’s internal organs.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026
Today, he suggested, a more common sign of status is spending money on things like yoga classes or facials.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 17, 2026
The room was like many I’d been in for facials, dim, with low music playing and a bed taking up much of the space.
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
When Declaration spent the night, Aunt Florentine gave us egg-white facials, shared all her beauty tips, and let us rummage through her jewelry box.
From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles
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.
