noun
1.
the front part of the head, from the forehead to the chin
2.
a look or expression on this part
a sad face
3.
an expression or look that indicates ridicule, disgust, etc.; grimace
The child put on a face when told to go to bed
4.
cosmetics; makeup
Excuse me while I go to the powder room to put on my face
5.
impudence; boldness
to have the face to ask such a rude question
6.
outward appearance
These are just old problems with new faces
The future presented a fair face to the fortunate youth
7.
outward show or pretense, esp. as a means of preserving one's dignity or of concealing a detrimental fact, condition, etc.
Though shamed beyond words, he managed to show a bold face
8.
good reputation; dignity; prestige
They hushed up the family scandal to preserve face
9.
the amount specified in a bill or note, exclusive of interest
10.
the manifest sense or express terms, as of a document
11.
the geographic characteristics or general appearance of a land surface
12.
the surface
the face of the earth
13.
the side, or part of a side, upon which the use of a thing depends
the clock's face
the face of a playing card
14.
the most important or most frequently seen side; front
the face of a building
15.
the outer or upper side of a fabric; right side
16.
the acting, striking, or working surface of an implement, tool, etc.
17.Geometry
any of the bounding surfaces of a solid figure
a cube has six faces
18. Also called: working face Mining
the front or end of a drift or excavation, where the material is being or was last mined
19.Printing
a.
the working surface of a type, of a plate, etc
b. Also called: typeface
any design of type, including a full range of characters, as letters, numbers, and marks of punctuation, in all sizes
Caslon is one of the most popular faces
c. Also called: typeface
the general style or appearance of type
broad or narrow face
20. Nautical & Aeronautics
the rear or after side of a propeller blade (opposed to back)
21.Fortifications
either of the two outer sides that form the salient angle of a bastion or the like
22.Crystallography
any of the plane surfaces of a crystal
23.Electronics faceplate (sense 3)
24.archaic
sight; presence
to flee from the face of the enemy
25. See face to face
26. See face to face with
27. See fly in the face of
28. See get out of someone's face
29. See in the face of
30. See lose face
31. See make a face
32. See on the face of it
33. See put on a bold face
34. See save face
35. See set one's face against
36. See show one's face
37. See to one's face
transitive verb
38.
to look toward or in the direction of
to face the light
39.
to have the front toward or permit a view of
The building faces Fifth Avenue
The bedroom faces the park
40.
to confront directly
to be faced with a problem
to face the future confidently
41.(usually fol. by down or out)
to confront courageously, boldly, or impudently
He could always face down his detractors
42.
to oppose or to meet defiantly
to face fearful odds
Army faces Navy in today's football game
43.
to cover or partly cover with a different material in front
They faced the old wooden house with brick
44.
to finish the edge of a garment with facing
45.
to turn the face of (a playing card) upwards
46.
to dress or smooth the surface of (a stone or the like)
47.
to cause (soldiers) to turn to the right, left, or in the opposite direction
48. Ice Hockey (of a referee)
to put (the puck) in play by dropping it between two opposing players each having his or her stick on the ice and facing the goal of the opponent
intransitive verb
49.(often fol. by to or toward)
to turn or be turned
She faced toward the sea
50.(often fol. by on, to, or toward)
to be placed with the front in a certain direction
The house faces on the street
The barn faces south
51.
to turn to the right, left, or in the opposite direction
Left face!
52.Ice Hockey (often fol. by off)
to face the puck
53. See face down
54. See face off
55. See face the music
56. See face up to
SYNONYMS 1. face, countenance, visage refer to the front of the (usually human) head. The face is the combination of the features: a face with broad cheekbones. countenance, a more formal word, denotes the face as it is affected by or reveals the state of mind, and hence often signifies the look or expression on the face: a thoughtful countenance. visage, still more formal, refers to the face as seen in a certain aspect, esp. as revealing seriousness or severity: a stern visage. 2. appearance, aspect, mien. 7. exterior. 14. façade. 43. veneer.
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019 by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word origin
[1250–1300; (n.) ME ‹ AF, OF ‹ VL *facia, for L faciēs facies; (v.) late ME facen, deriv. of the n.]
