face

Syllabification: (face)

Pronunciation: /fās/

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Definition of face

noun

1the front part of a person’s head from the forehead to the chin, or the corresponding part in an animal.
the face as expressing emotion; an expression shown on the face:the happy faces of these children
a manifestation or outward aspect of something:the unacceptable face of social drinking
[with adjective] a person of a particular type:this season’s squad has a lot of old faces in it

2the surface of a thing, especially one that is presented to the view or has a particular function, in particular.
Geometry each of the surfaces of a solid:the faces of a cube
a vertical or sloping side of a mountain or cliff:the south face of Broad Peak
the side of a planet or moon facing the observer.
the front of a building.
the plate of a clock or watch bearing the digits or hands.
the distinctive side of a playing card.
short for typeface.
the side of a coin showing the head or principal design.

verb

[with object]

1be positioned with the face or front toward (someone or something):he turned to face her
[no object] have the face or front pointing in a specified direction:the house faces due east
[no object] (of a soldier) turn in a particular direction:they immediately faced about

2confront and deal with or accept:honesty forced her to face facts [no object]:the candidates choose not to face up to the pragmatic issues
(face someone/something down) overcome someone or something by a show of determination:he faced down persistent hecklers at a noontime rally
have (a difficult event or situation) in prospect:each defendant faced a maximum sentence of 10 years
(of a problem or difficult situation) present itself to and require action from (someone):if you were suddenly faced with an emergency, would you know how to cope?

3 (usually be faced with) cover the surface of (a thing) with a layer of a different material:the external basement walls were faced with granite slabs

Phrases

face down: with the face or surface turned toward the ground:he lay face down on his bed
face the music: be confronted with the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions.
the face of the earth: used for emphasis or exaggeration, to refer to the existence or disappearance of someone or something:he’s just disappeared off the face of the earth the most grueling training on the face of the earth
face up: with the face or surface turned upward to view:place the panel face up before cutting
get out of someone's face: [usually as imperative] North American informal stop harassing or annoying someone:shut up and get out of my face
have the face to do something: dated have the effrontery to do something.
in one's face: directly at or against one; as one approaches:she slammed the door in my face
in the face of: when confronted with:her resolution in the face of the enemy; in spite of:reform had been introduced in the face of considerable opposition
in your face: see in-your-face.
lose face: suffer a loss of respect; be humiliated:the code of conduct required that he strike back or lose face
loss of face: a loss of respect; humiliation:he could step aside now without loss of face
make a face (or faces): produce an expression on one’s face that shows dislike, disgust, or some other negative emotion, or that is intended to be amusing:she made a face and tossed her purse at him
on the face of it: without knowing all of the relevant facts; at first glance:on the face of it, these improvements look to be insignificant
put a good (or brave or bold) face on something: act as if something unpleasant or upsetting is not as bad as it really is:he tried to put a good face on the financial picture
put one's face on: informal apply makeup to one’s face.
save face: retain respect; avoid humiliation:an outcome that allows them all to save face
set one's face against: oppose or resist with determination:he had set his face against the idea
throw something back in someone's face: reject something in a brusque or ungracious manner:she’d given him her trust and he’d thrown it back in her face
to one's face: openly in one’s presence:you’re telling me to my face I’m a liar

Phrasal Verbs

face off: chiefly North American take up an attitude of confrontation, especially at the start of a fight or game:close to a million soldiers face off in the desert; Ice Hockey start or restart play with a face-off.

Derivatives

faced: [in combination]:red-faced

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French, based on Latin facies 'form, appearance, face'

face in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of face in the British & World English dictionary

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Other

face

noun

verb

Phrases

face down

face the music

the face of the earth

face up

get out of someone's face

have the face to do something

in one's face

in the face of

in your face

lose face

loss of face

make a face (or faces)

on the face of it

put a good (or brave or bold) face on something

put one's face on

save face

set one's face against

throw something back in someone's face

to one's face

Phrasal Verbs

face off

Derivatives

faced

Origin:

face in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

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