the front part of the head, from the forehead to the chin.

a look or expression on this part

a sad face.

an expression or look that indicates ridicule, disgust, etc.; grimace

The child put on a face when told to go to bed.

cosmetics; makeup

Excuse me while I go to the powder room to put on my face.

impudence; boldness

to have the face to ask such a rude question.

outward appearance

These are just old problems with new faces. The future presented a fair face to the fortunate youth.

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.

good reputation; dignity; prestige

They hushed up the family scandal to preserve face.

the amount specified in a bill or note, exclusive of interest.

the manifest sense or express terms, as of a document.

the geographic characteristics or general appearance of a land surface.

the surface

the face of the earth.

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.

the most important or most frequently seen side; front

the face of a building.

the outer or upper side of a fabric; right side.

the acting, striking, or working surface of an implement, tool, etc.

Geometry . any of the bounding surfaces of a solid figure

a cube has six faces.

Also called working face. Mining . the front or end of a drift or excavation, where the material is being or was last mined.

Printing .

the working surface of a type, of a plate, etc.

Also called typeface, typestyle. 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.

Also called typeface, typestyle. the general style or appearance of type

broad or narrow face.

Nautical, Aeronautics . the rear or after side of a propeller blade ( opposed to back ).

Fortification . either of the two outer sides that form the salient angle of a bastion or the like.

Crystallography . any of the plane surfaces of a crystal.

Electronics . faceplate ( def. 3 ) .

Archaic . sight; presence

to flee from the face of the enemy.

to look toward or in the direction of

to face the light.

to have the front toward or permit a view of

The building faces Fifth Avenue. The bedroom faces the park.

to confront directly

to be faced with a problem; to face the future confidently.

to confront courageously, boldly, or impudently (usually fol. by down or out )

He could always face down his detractors.

to oppose or to meet defiantly

to face fearful odds; Army faces Navy in today's football game.

to cover or partly cover with a different material in front

They faced the old wooden house with brick.

to finish the edge of a garment with facing.

to turn the face of (a playing card) upwards.

to dress or smooth the surface of (a stone or the like).

to cause (soldiers) to turn to the right, left, or in the opposite direction.

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.

to turn or be turned (often fol. by to or toward )

She faced toward the sea.

to be placed with the front in a certain direction (often fol. by on, to, or toward )

The house faces on the street. The barn faces south.

to turn to the right, left, or in the opposite direction

Left face!

Ice Hockey . to face the puck (often fol. by off ). ?

face down, to confront boldly or intimidate (an opponent, critic, etc.).

face off, Ice Hockey . to start a game or period with a face-off.

face up to,

to acknowledge; admit

to face up to the facts.

to meet courageously; confront

He refused to face up to his problems.

face the music. music ( def. 9 ) .

face to face

facing or opposite one another

We sat face to face at the table.

in an open, personal meeting or confrontation

The leaders spoke face to face about a reduction in nuclear arms.

face to face with

in close proximity to; narrowly escaping; confronting

face to face with death.

fly in the face of. fly 1 ( def. 35 ) .

get out of someone's face (usually used imperatively)

Southern U.S. go away!; leave.

Slang . to stop bothering or annoying someone.

in the face of

in spite of; notwithstanding

She persevered in the face of many obstacles.

when confronted with

They were steadfast in the face of disaster.

lose face, to suffer disgrace, humiliation

or embarrassment

It was impossible to apologize publicly without losing face.

make a face, to grimace

as in distaste or contempt; contort one's face in order to convey a feeling or to amuse another

She made a face when she was told the work wasn't finished. The children made me laugh by making faces.

on the face of it

to outward appearances; superficially; seemingly

On the face of it, there was no hope for a comeback.

put on a bold face

to give the appearance of confidence or assurance

Everyone knew that he had been fired, even though he put on a bold face. Also, put a bold face on.

save face, to avoid disgrace, humiliation

or embarrassment

She tried to save face by saying that the bill had never arrived.

set one's face against

to disapprove strongly of; oppose

My parents have set their face against my becoming an actress.

show one's face

to make an appearance; be seen

I would be ashamed to show my face in such an outlandish outfit. Just show your face at the party and then you can leave.

to one's face

in one's presence; brazenly; directly

Tell him to his face that he's a liar!

noun

back , behind , rear , character , personality

verb

hide , retreat , run , withdraw , back

noun

air , appearance , aspect , cast , clock , countenance , dial * , disguise , display , facet , features , finish , frontage , frontal , frontispiece , frown , glower , grimace , guise , kisser , light * , lineaments , look , makeup , map * , mask , mug * , obverse , paint * , physiognomy , pout , presentation , profile , scowl , seeming , semblance , show , showing , silhouette , simulacrum , smirk , surface , top , visage , audacity , boldness , brass * , cheek * , chutzpah * , cloak , confidence , cover , effrontery , facade , false front * , front , gall , impertinence , impudence , presumption , veil , dignity , honor , image , prestige , reputation , self-respect , social position , standing , feature , muzzle , moue , mouth , status , assumption , audaciousness , brashness , brazenness , cheek , cheekiness , chutzpah , discourtesy , disrespect , familiarity , forwardness , impudency , incivility , insolence , nerve , nerviness , overconfidence , pertness , presumptuousness , pushiness , rudeness , sassiness , sauciness , color , coloring , disguisement , false colors , gloss , masquerade , pretense , pretext , veneer , window-dressing , dial

verb

abide , accost , affront , allow , bear , beard , be confronted by , bit the bullet , brace , brave , brook , challenge , confront , contend , cope with , countenance , court , cross , dare , deal with , defy , encounter , endure , experience , eyeball , fight , fly in face of , go up against , grapple with , make a stand , meet , oppose , resist , risk , run into , square off , stand , stomach * , submit , suffer , sustain , swallow * , take , take it , take on , take the bull by the horns , tell off * , tolerate , venture , withstand , be turned toward , border , front , front onto , gaze , glare , overlook , stare , watch , clad , coat , cover , decorate , dress , finish , level , line , overlay , plaster , polish , redecorate , refinish , remodel , sheathe , shingle , side , skin , smooth , surface , veneer , look