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¹face

noun, often attributive \ˈfās\

: the front part of the head that has the eyes, nose, and mouth on it

: a facial expression

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

Full Definition of FACE

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>

archaic : presence, sight

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)

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>

: 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

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

: face value

: person <lots of new faces around here>

— in one's face

: 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

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

— to one's face

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

See face defined for English-language learners

See face defined for kids

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

Related to FACE

Synonyms: countenance, kisser [slang], mug, pan [slang], puss [slang], visage

Antonyms: back, rear, rearward, reverse

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

Rhymes with FACE

ace, base, bass, brace, case, chase, dace, grace, lace, mace, Mace, Naas, pace, place, plaice, prase, race, res, space, Thrace, trace, vase, Wace

²face

verb

: to stand or sit with your face and body turned toward (something or someone)

: to have the front part toward (something)

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

facedfac·ing

Full Definition of FACE

transitive verb

: to confront impudently

a : to line near the edge especially with a different material

b : to cover the front or surface of <faced the building with marble>

: to meet face-to-face or in competition

a : to stand or sit with the face toward

b : to have the front oriented toward <a house facing the park>

a : to recognize and deal with straightforwardly <face the facts>

b : to master by confronting with determination —used with down <faced down his critics>

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>

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

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

intransitive verb

: to have the face or front turned in a specified direction

: to turn the face in a specified direction

— face the music

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

See face defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of FACE

15th century

Related to FACE

Synonyms: front, look (toward), point (toward)

Antonyms: dodge, duck, funk, shirk, sidestep

FACE Defined for Kids

¹face

noun \ˈfās\

Definition of FACE for Kids

: the front part of the head

: an expression of the face <a sad face>

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

: a funny or silly expression

: an expression showing displeasure

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

: a front, upper, or outer surface

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

²face

verb

facedfac·ing

Definition of FACE for Kids

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

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

: to oppose with determination <face danger>

Medical Dictionary

face

noun , often attrib \ˈfās\

Medical Definition of FACE

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

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