face meaning and definition

FACE noun

Definition of face (noun)

1. the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
   • "he washed his face"; "I wish I had seen the look on his face when he got the news"
   • synonyms: human face
2. the feelings expressed on a person's face
   • "a sad expression"; "a look of triumph"; "an angry face"
   • synonyms: aspect, expression, facial expression, look
3. the general outward appearance of something
   • "the face of the city is changing"
4. the striking or working surface of an implement
5. a part of a person that is used to refer to a person
   • "he looked out at a roomful of faces"; "when he returned to work he met many new faces"
6. a surface forming part of the outside of an object
   • "he examined all sides of the crystal"; "dew dripped from the face of the leaf"
   • synonyms: side
7. the part of an animal corresponding to the human face
8. the side upon which the use of a thing depends (usually the most prominent surface of an object)
   • "he dealt the cards face down"
9. a contorted facial expression
   • "she made a grimace at the prospect"
   • synonyms: grimace
10. a specific size and style of type within a type family
    • synonyms: case, font, fount, typeface
11. status in the eyes of others
    • "he lost face"
12. impudent aggressiveness
    • "I couldn't believe her boldness"; "he had the effrontery to question my honesty"
    • synonyms: boldness, brass, cheek, nerve
13. a vertical surface of a building or cliff

FACE verb

Definition of face (verb)

1. deal with (something unpleasant) head on
   • "You must confront your problems"; "He faced the terrible consequences of his mistakes"
   • synonyms: confront, face up
   • antonym: avoid
2. oppose, as in hostility or a competition
   • "You must confront your opponent"; "Jackson faced Smith in the boxing ring"; "The two enemies finally confronted each other"
   • synonyms: confront
3. be oriented in a certain direction, often with respect to another reference point; be opposite to
   • "The house looks north"; "My backyard look onto the pond"; "The building faces the park"
   • synonyms: front, look
   • antonym: back
4. be opposite
   • "the facing page"; "the two sofas face each other"
5. turn so as to face; turn the face in a certain direction
   • "Turn and face your partner now"
6. present somebody with something, usually to accuse or criticize
   • "We confronted him with the evidence"; "He was faced with all the evidence and could no longer deny his actions"; "An enormous dilemma faces us"
   • synonyms: confront, present
7. turn so as to expose the face
   • "face a playing card"
8. line the edge (of a garment) with a different material
   • "face the lapels of the jacket"
9. cover the front or surface of
   • "The building was faced with beautiful stones"