Dictionary monolingual
English

Face

feɪs
Extremely common
600 - 700
600 - 700
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

Face -

The front part of a person's head where the eyes, nose, and mouth are located.

Example: She has a beautiful face.
Usage: formalContext: describing physical appearance
Note: Commonly used in everyday conversations and formal writing.

To confront or deal with a difficult situation or person.

Example: She had to face her fears.
Usage: formal/informalContext: discussing challenges or obstacles
Note: Can be used in both personal and professional contexts.

To be positioned towards a particular direction or have a specific orientation.

Example: The house faces the ocean.
Usage: formalContext: describing the positioning of objects or buildings
Note: Commonly used in real estate or navigation contexts.

To be the first person that someone sees or meets.

Example: He was the first face I saw when I entered the room.
Usage: formalContext: meeting someone for the first time
Note: Used in social and professional settings.

Face's synonyms

countenance

Countenance refers to a person's facial expression or demeanor.
Example: He had a stern countenance that intimidated others.
Note: Countenance is more formal and literary than 'face'.

visage

Visage refers to a person's facial features or appearance.
Example: Her visage reflected a mixture of emotions.
Note: Visage is a more poetic or literary term for 'face'.

facial features

Facial features refer to the distinct characteristics of a person's face.
Example: She had delicate facial features that made her stand out in a crowd.
Note: Facial features focus more on the specific attributes of the face rather than the face as a whole.

Face expressions, common phrases

Face the music

To confront a difficult or unpleasant situation and accept the consequences of one's actions.
Example: After making a mistake, it's time to face the music and accept the consequences.
Note: The phrase 'face the music' uses 'face' metaphorically to mean confronting or dealing with something rather than referring to the physical body part.

Save face

To avoid embarrassment or preserve one's dignity in a challenging situation.
Example: He apologized to save face in front of his colleagues.
Note: In this idiom, 'face' is used to represent one's reputation or honor rather than the physical face.

Face the facts

To accept the truth of a situation, especially when it is unpleasant or difficult.
Example: It's time to face the facts that the project is behind schedule.
Note: Here, 'face' is used to mean confronting or acknowledging the reality of a situation.

In your face

Used to describe something done openly or directly to someone in a way that is intended to show off or provoke a reaction.
Example: She won the game and waved the trophy in your face.
Note: This phrase uses 'face' to indicate a direct confrontation or challenge, rather than referring to the physical face.

Face value

Accepting something as it appears on the surface without deeper analysis or suspicion.
Example: He took her words at face value and didn't question her sincerity.
Note: In this context, 'face' refers to the surface appearance or initial impression of something.

Long face

An expression or look of sadness, disappointment, or gloom.
Example: She had a long face after hearing the bad news.
Note: Here, 'face' is used metaphorically to describe a person's expression or demeanor rather than the physical face itself.

Lose face

To suffer a loss of respect, dignity, or reputation, especially in public or in front of others.
Example: He didn't want to lose face in front of his peers, so he worked hard to succeed.
Note: In this idiom, 'face' represents one's honor, reputation, or dignity rather than the physical face.

Face everyday (slang) expressions

Facepalm

To cover one's face with the palm of one's hand as an expression of embarrassment, frustration, or disbelief.
Example: I made a silly mistake and all I could do was facepalm.
Note: The term 'facepalm' is a gesture that involves physically touching one's face with the palm of one's hand, unlike the original word 'face,' which refers to the front part of the head.

On Facebook

To refer to the social media platform Facebook, specifically when discussing activities or information shared on the platform.
Example: Did you see my post on Facebook about the concert?
Note: In this context, 'Facebook' is used as a specific reference to the social media platform, whereas 'face' refers to the front part of the head.

Facetime

To have a video chat using Apple's FaceTime application or video calling in general.
Example: Let's facetime later to discuss the project.
Note: 'Facetime' is a specific term referring to a video communication software or activity, while 'face' has a broader meaning of the front part of the head.

Egg on your face

To be embarrassed or humiliated by one's own mistake or incorrect assumption.
Example: He thought he was right, but when he realized he was wrong, he had egg on his face.
Note: The phrase 'egg on your face' is a metaphorical expression denoting embarrassment, while 'face' refers to the front part of the head.

Faceoff

A confrontation or competition that involves direct interaction, often in a competitive setting.
Example: The two teams had an intense faceoff on the ice.
Note: 'Faceoff' is a term used in sports or competitive scenarios to describe a direct confrontation, contrasting with the original word 'face' denoting the front part of the head.

Stone-faced

To have a facial expression that shows no emotion, often appearing serious or unresponsive.
Example: Even in the most serious situations, she remained stone-faced.
Note: 'Stone-faced' describes a specific facial expression lacking emotion, in contrast to 'face' which refers to the entire front part of the head.

Face - Examples

His face turned red when he saw her.
I can't remember her face.
We will have to face the consequences of our actions.

Face grammar

Face - Verb (Verb) / Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present)
Lemma: face
Conjugations
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): faces, face
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): face
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): faced
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): facing
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): faces
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): face
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): face
Syllables, Separation and Stress
face Contains 1 syllables: face
Phonetic transcription: ˈfās
face , ˈfās (The red syllable is stressed)

Face - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
face: 600 - 700 (Extremely common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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