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| face [ fayss ] |
noun (plural fac·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. front of head: the front of the human head, where the eyes, nose, mouth, chin, cheeks, and forehead are
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2. person: somebody who is being looked at
(
informal
)
  It's nice to see so many familiar faces here today.
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3. countenance: a facial expression or look of a particular kind
an unhappy face
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4. unpleasant facial expression: an expression in which the face is distorted, e.g. to show distaste or as a way of being rude to somebody
The children made faces behind his back.
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5. way something looks: the general or outward appearance of something
The arrival of the automobile changed the face of the modern city.
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6. false appearance: an outward appearance that does not show the true nature of somebody's feelings or is intended to deceive
Even after a third defeat he was still putting on a brave face.
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7. reputation: personal prestige or reputation
a way of enabling her to back down without losing face
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8. boldness: impudence or self-assurance
(
informal
)
How can he have the face to come back here after what he said?
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9. face makeup: makeup applied to the face
(
informal
)
didn't even have time to put on my face
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10. surface of object: a plane surface or side of a three-dimensional object such as a geometric figure or gem
A cube has six faces.
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11. outside of building: the exterior of the front or side of a large building
the evening sun shining on the west face
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12. side of cliff: the steep exposed side of a cliff
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13. side of mountain: a steep mountainside, often named for the direction it faces
the north face of Mt. Rainier
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14. working area in mine: an area in a mine from which a mineral such as coal is being extracted
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15. typeface: a typeface, or the area of a printing character that actually prints
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16. dial on clock or instrument: the surface of a timepiece or similar instrument that displays the time or other data
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17. side of card showing value: the side of a playing card that is marked with numbers and symbols
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18. working surface of implement: the functional side of something such as a tool or golf club
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19. side of coin: either surface of a coin, especially one with somebody's head on it
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verb (past and past participle faced, present participle fac·ing, 3rd person present singular fac·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive and intransitive verb turn toward particular direction: to be positioned or turn so that the face or front side is directed a particular way or toward something or somebody
The largest bedroom faces south.
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2. transitive verb be opposite somebody or something: to be in a position opposite somebody or something
The boys faced each other.
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3. transitive verb come up against somebody or something: to meet or confront somebody or something directly and bravely
Their retreat was cut off and they had no choice but to stand and face the enemy.
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4. transitive verb accept facts: to accept the reality of a difficult or unpleasant situation
Let's face it, our chances of being on time are slim.
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5. transitive verb have to be dealt with: to require to be dealt with by somebody
She was faced with the task of breaking the news to her family.
the problems facing them
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6. transitive verb expect something bad: to have the prospect of experiencing something unpleasant, usually within a short period of time
They face ruin if the bank calls in the loan.
could face a jail sentence
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7. transitive verb line or decorate something: to line or trim the edge of something with a contrasting material
The cuffs were faced with velvet.
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8. transitive verb smooth stone: to put a smooth surface on a piece of stone
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9. transitive and intransitive verb order troops to turn: to order troops to turn in a particular direction, or turn in a particular direction when ordered to do so
The captain ordered her troops to face left.
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| [13th century. Via French< Latin facies "appearance, aspect, form, face"] |
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| face·a·ble adjective |
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be staring somebody in the face to be obvious but unnoticed
Why call in a management consultant, when the cause of the problem is staring you in the face?
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be staring something in the face to be facing something undesirable but inevitable
We were staring bankruptcy in the face.
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face down or downward with the face or front placed downward
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face to face
1. in the actual presence of another person
2. in direct contact with, or having first-hand knowledge of, an unpleasant fact or situation
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face up or upward with the face or front placed upward
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fly in the face of something to defy something deliberately or recklessly
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get in somebody's face to annoy somebody (informal)
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get out of my face used for impolitely telling somebody to stop annoying you (informal)
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have a long face to look miserable or disappointed
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in (the) face of something when confronted by or in spite of something
remained united in the face of strong opposition
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in your face so frank or direct as to be unnerving or intimidating (informal)hyphenated when used before a noun
an in-your-face style of documentary moviemaking
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not just a pretty face having more to offer than an attractive appearance
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on the face of it judging by appearances only
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set your face against something to oppose something with determination
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show your face (somewhere or at something) to put in an appearance somewhere
He won't dare show his face at her house again.
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written all over somebody's face obvious from somebody's expression (informal)
She was standing by the broken window with guilt written all over her face.
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