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noun \ˈfās\

Simple Definition of face


  • : a facial expression

  • : the way something appears when it is first seen or thought about

Full Definition of face

  1. 1 a :  the front part of the head that in humans extends from the forehead to the chin and includes the mouth, nose, cheeks, and eyes b :  the face as a means of identification :  countenance <would know that face anywhere>

  2. 2 archaic :  presence, sight

  3. 3 a :  facial expression <a friendly face> b :  a facial expression of distaste or displeasure <he made a face when he saw the test results> c :  makeup 3a(1)

  4. 4 a (1) :  outward appearance <put a good face on it> (2) :  the aspect of something that is perceptible or obvious upon superficial examination <the theory is absurd on its face — Kim Neely> b :  disguise, pretense c (1) :  assurance, confidence <maintaining a firm face in spite of adversity> (2) :  effrontery <how anyone could have the face to ask that question> d :  dignity, prestige <afraid to lose face>

  5. 5 :  surface: a (1) :  a front, upper, or outer surface (2) :  the front of something having two or four sides (3) :  facade (4) :  an exposed surface of rock (5) :  any of the plane surfaces that bound a geometric solid b :  a surface specially prepared: as (1) :  the principal dressed surface (as of a disk) (2) :  the right side (as of cloth or leather) (3) :  an inscribed, printed, or marked side c :  a striking surface (as of a tool) <the face of the golf club> <the face of an anvil> d (1) :  the surface (as of type) that receives the ink and transfers it to the paper (2) :  a style of type

  6. 6 :  the end or wall of a mine tunnel, drift, or excavation at which work is progressing

  7. 7 :  face value

  8. 8 :  person <lots of new faces around here>

in one's face
  1. :  directly and aggressively in one's presence <dunked the ball in his face> —often used with get to describe aggressively confrontational speech or behavior <his boss got in his face about being late>

in the face of also in face of
  1. :  face-to-face with :  despite <fearless in the face of danger>

to one's face
  1. :  in one's presence or so that one is fully aware of what is going on

Examples of face

  1. He has a round face.

  2. His face is familiar but I can't remember his name.

  3. I'll never forget the look on her face.

  4. He fell flat on his face.

  5. I didn't recognize any of the faces around the table.

  6. There are lots of new faces around the office.

Origin of face

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *facia, from Latin facies make, form, face, from facere to make, do — more at do

First Known Use: 13th century




Simple Definition of face


  • : to have the front part toward (something)

  • : to be on the page that is opposite to (another page)

Full Definition of face


  1. transitive verb
  2. 1 :  to confront impudently

  3. 2 a :  to line near the edge especially with a different material b :  to cover the front or surface of <faced the building with marble>

  4. 3 :  to meet face-to-face or in competition

  5. 4 a :  to stand or sit with the face toward b :  to have the front oriented toward <a house facing the park>

  6. 5 a :  to recognize and deal with straightforwardly <face the facts> b :  to master by confronting with determination —used with down <faced down his critics>

  7. 6 a :  to have as a prospect :  be confronted by <face a grim future> b :  to be a prospect or a source of concern for <the problems that face us> c :  to bring face-to-face <he was faced with ruin>

  8. 7 :  to make the surface of (as a stone) flat or smooth

  9. 8 :  to cause (troops) to face in a particular direction on command

  10. intransitive verb
  11. 1 :  to have the face or front turned in a specified direction

  12. 2 :  to turn the face in a specified direction

face the music
  1. :  to meet an unpleasant situation, a danger, or the consequences of one's actions

Examples of face

  1. The teacher faced the class.

  2. She turned around to face the window.

  3. He sat facing the wall.

  4. Turn and face to the east.

  5. The house faces the park.

  6. The living room faces the afternoon sun.

  7. My shoe was lying in the corner with its sole facing upward.

  8. The flower opens facing skyward.

  9. Look at the illustration on the facing page.

  10. Only by facing your problems can you hope to overcome them.

15th Century

First Known Use of face

15th century

FACE Defined for Kids



noun \ˈfās\

Definition of face

  1. 1 :  the front part of the head

  2. 2 :  an expression of the face <a sad face>

  3. 3 :  outward appearance <It looks easy on the face of it.>

  4. 4 :  a funny or silly expression

  5. 5 :  an expression showing displeasure

  6. 6 :  1respect 1 <He was afraid of losing face.>

  7. 7 :  a front, upper, or outer surface

  8. 8 :  one of the flat surfaces that bound a solid <a face of a cube>




Definition of face


  1. 1 :  to have the front or face toward <The house faces east.>

  2. 2 :  to cover the front or surface of <The building will be faced with marble.>

  3. 3 :  to oppose with determination <face danger>

Medical Dictionary


noun \ˈfās\

Medical Definition of face

  1. 1a:  the front part of the human head including the chin, mouth, nose, cheeks, eyes, and usually the foreheadb:  the corresponding part of the head of a lower animal

  2. 2:  surface; especially :  a front, upper, or outer surface

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up face? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).


February 10, 2016

to put in good humor

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