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face definition

face (fās)

noun

  1. the front of the head from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin, and from ear to ear; visage; countenance
  2. the expression of the countenance
  3. a surface of a thing; esp.,
    1. the front, upper, or outer surface or part
    2. any one of the surfaces of a geometric figure or crystal
  4. the side or surface that is marked, as of a clock, playing card, domino, etc., or that is finished, as of fabric, leather, etc.
  5. the appearance; outward aspect; semblance
  6. facial makeup; cosmetics: used chiefly in the phrases do one's face and put one's face on
  7. dignity; self-respect; prestige
    used chiefly in the phrase lose (or save) face lose (or save) face
  8. the topography (of an area)
  9. the functional or striking surface (of a tool, golf club, etc.)
  10. what is shown by the language of a document, without explanation or addition
  11. Informal effrontery; audacity
  12. Mining the end of a tunnel, drift, etc., where work is being done
  13. Printing
    1. the type surface on which a letter is cut; printing part of a letter or plate
    2. the full selection of type of a certain design

Etymology: ME < OFr < VL facia < L facies, the face, appearance < base of facere, do

transitive verb faced, facing fac′·ing

  1. to turn, or have the face or front turned, toward the building faces the square
  2. to meet or confront squarely or face to face
  3. to confront with boldness, courage, etc.
  4. to acknowledge and accept (facts, the truth, etc.)
  5. to put another material on the surface of
  6. to level and smooth the surface of (esp. a block of stone)
  7. to turn (a card, etc.) with the face up
  8. Mil. to cause (a formation of soldiers) to pivot by giving the appropriate command
  9. Sewing to apply a facing to (a collar, edge, etc.)

Etymology: ME facen < the n.

intransitive verb

  1. to turn, or have the face turned, toward a specified thing or person, or in a specified direction
  2. Mil. to pivot in a specified direction: usually in the form of a command right face!
face Idioms

be (or get) in someone's face

☆
Slang to behave in a confrontational or annoyingly direct or persistent manner toward someone

face down

to disconcert or overcome by a confident, bold manner

face off

  1. Hockey to start or resume play with a face-off
  2. Informal to confront one another as opponents or adversaries candidates face off in an election
  3. Informal to take a position opposing: with against or with Congress faced off against the President

face to face

  1. confronting each other
  2. very near; in the presence: followed by with

face up to

  1. to face with courage; confront and resist
  2. to realize and be ready to meet (a condition, fact, etc.)

fly in the face of

to be rashly defiant of

in the face of

  1. in the presence of
  2. in spite of

make a face

to distort the face, esp. in a way expressing contempt, distaste, humor, etc.
also Chiefly Brit.pull a face

on the face of it

to all appearances; apparently

pull a long face

or wear a long face
to look sad, glum, disapproving, etc.

put a bold face on

to seem bold or confident about

set one's face against

to be determinedly against; disapprove of; resist

show one's face

to come and be seen; appear

to someone's face

in someone's presence; openly and without fear

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms face idiom

law face definition - legal

medical face definition - medical

face Synonyms

face

n.

  1. The front of the head

    visage, countenance, appearance, features, lineaments, silhouette, profile, physiognomy, front, map*, mug*, pan*, puss*, kisser*. *

  2. Facial expression

    look, cast, grimace; see appearance 1, expression 4.

  3. Bold or inconsiderate conduct

    effrontery, impudence, impertinence; see rudeness.

  4. A plane surface

    front, surface, right side, dial; see front 1, plane 1.

  5. Prestige

    status, standing, self-respect; see dignity 1, reputation 2.

  6. Appearance

    light, aspect, presentation; see appearance 1.

face is the basic, direct word for the front of the head; countenance refers to the face as it reflects the emotions or feelings and is, hence, often applied to the facial expression his happy countenance; visage refers to the form, proportions, and expression of the face, especially as indicative of general temperament a man of stern visage; physiognomy refers to the general cast of features, esp. when considered as characteristic of an ethnic group or as supposedly indicative of character the physiognomy of an honest man

fly in the face of

defy, rebel against, disobey; see dare 2, oppose 2.

make a face

distort one's face, grimace, scowl, mug*; see frown.

on the face of it

to all appearances, seemingly, according to the evidence; see apparently.

pull<strong> or </strong>wear a long face*

look sad, scowl, pout; see frown.

set one's face against

oppose, resist, disapprove of, set oneself against; see disapprove 1, oppose 1.

show one's face

be seen, show up, come; see appear 1, 3.

to one's face

candidly, openly, frankly, boldly; see openly 1.


face

v.

  1. To confront conflict or trouble

    confront, oppose, defy, meet, dare, brave, challenge, withstand, beard, court, encounter, risk, tolerate, endure, sustain, suffer, bear, tell to one's face, show a bold front, make a stand, meet face to face, look in the eye, grapple with, come to grips with, stand up to, cope with, contend with, deal with, handle, front, brook, allow, stand, submit, go up against, square up to, meet head-on, not shrink from, take it*, bell the cat*, take the bull by the horns*, face the music*; see also endure 2.

    Antonyms evade*, avoid*, run away from.

  2. To put a face on a building

    refinish, front, decorate, surface, dress, smooth the surface of, polish, level, redecorate, remodel, brick over, cover, coat, shingle, side, plaster, stucco, veneer.

  3. To put facing on goods

    line, bind, trim, hem, back, pipe, tuck, overlay, fold, bias.

  4. To look out on

    front, front on, overlook, border, be turned toward, look toward, view, give on or onto.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

face Usage Examples

Object

  • challenge: Face the challenge with courage believe within the disaster there is a door that opens up a vista never yet known.

Converse of object

  • smile: I walked in to the staff room to be greeted by smiling faces, relaxed chatter and much laughter.

Adjective modifier

  • familiar: His career in film and television during the 50s and 60s made him a familiar face if not name.

Modifies a noun

  • mask: Protective gloves, face masks and goggles should be worn by veterinary practice personnel or owners who come into contact with infected animals.

Noun used with modifier

  • cliff: I arrived at the site late evening, and immediately picked up an adult Gyr flying along the cliff face - what a bird!

Preposition: of

  • adversity: For Andrew, the trilogy is a poignant, thrilling hymn to the resilience of compassion in the face of adversity.
face usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

face quotes

It was a saying of an ancient philosopher, which I find some of our writers have ascribed to Queen Elizabeth, who perhapsmight havetakenoccasionto repeat it, that a good face is a letter of recommendation.

-Addison,Joseph

He thought what a pity it was that all his faces were designed to express rage or loathing. Now that something had happened that really deserved a face, 14 he'd none to celebrate it with. As a kind of token, he made his Sex Life in Ancient Rome face.

-Amis, Sir Kingsley

   Oh Bernard muttered Ethel this issosudden.No no cried Bernard and taking the bull by both horns he kissed her violently on her dainty face.

-Ashford, Daisy Mary Margaret

face quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"face." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/face>

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face. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/face

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