face

1. the front part of the head, from the forehead to the chin.
2. a look or expression on the front part of the head:

   She wore a sad face.

   Synonyms: mien, aspect, countenance, appearance

3. a contorted expression or look that indicates ridicule, disgust, etc.; grimace:

   Go to bed right now, and don't you give me that face.

4. cosmetics; makeup:

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

5. impudence; boldness:

   It shocks me that you'd have the face to ask such a rude question.

6. outward appearance:

   These are just old problems with new faces.

7. someone who represents or speaks on behalf of a company or product; spokesperson:

   Steve Jobs was the face of Apple computers.

8. outward show or pretense, especially 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.

   Synonyms: exterior

9. good reputation; standing; prestige:

   They hushed up the family scandal to preserve face.

10. the amount specified in a bill or note, exclusive of interest.
11. the manifest sense or express terms, as of a document.
12. the geographic characteristics or general appearance of a land surface.
13. the surface:

    the face of the earth.

14. 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.

15. the most important or most frequently seen side; front:

    the face of a building.

    Synonyms: facade

16. the outer or upper side of a fabric; right side.
17. the acting, striking, or working surface of an implement, tool, etc.
18. Geometry. any of the bounding surfaces of a solid figure:

    A cube has six faces.

19. Also called ba·by·face [bey, -bee--feys]. Professional Wrestling. a headlining wrestler who plays a heroic character and typically wins matches against the wrestler playing a villainous role. Compare heel ³( def 2 ).
20. Also called work·ing face [wur, -king feys]. Mining. the front or end of a drift or excavation, where the material is being or was last mined.
21. Printing.
    1. the working surface of a type, of a plate, etc.
    2. Also called type·face [tahyp, -feys],. any design of type, including a full range of characters, as letters, numbers, and marks of punctuation, in all sizes:

       Garamond is one of the most popular faces.

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

       broad or narrow face.

22. Nautical, Aeronautics. the rear or after side of a propeller blade ( back ¹def 12 ).
23. Fortification. either of the two outer sides that form the salient angle of a bastion or the like.
24. Crystallography. any of the plane surfaces of a crystal.
25. Electronics. faceplate ( def 3 ).
26. Archaic. sight; presence:

    to flee from the face of the enemy.

1. to look toward or in the direction of:

   When speaking, remember to face the light.

2. to have the front toward or permit a view of:

   The building faces Fifth Avenue.

   The bedroom faces the park.

3. to confront directly:

   to be faced with a problem;

   to face the future confidently.

4. to confront courageously, boldly, or impudently (usually followed by down or out ):

   He could always face down his detractors.

5. to oppose or to meet defiantly:

   We face fearful odds in this battle.

   Army faces Navy in today's football game.

6. to cover or partly cover with a different material in front:

   They faced the old wooden house with brick.

   Synonyms: veneer

7. to finish the edge of a garment with facing, a piece of fabric added for ornament or strengthening.
8. to turn the front of (a playing card) upward.
9. to dress or smooth the surface of (a stone or the like).
10. to cause (soldiers) to turn to the right, left, or in the opposite direction.
11. Ice Hockey. (of a referee) to put (the puck) in play by dropping it between two opposing players each having a stick on the ice and facing the goal of the opponent.

1. to turn or be turned (often followed by to or toward ):

   She faced toward the sea.

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

   The house faces on the street.

   The barn faces south.

3. to turn to the right, left, or in the opposite direction:

   Left face!

4. Ice Hockey. to face the puck; put the puck in play (often followed by off ).

verb phrase

1. to confront boldly or intimidate (an opponent, critic, etc.).
2. 1. to confront, fight, or compete against each other as opponents:

      The presidential nominees will face off at the debates tomorrow night.

   2. Ice Hockey. to start a game or period by dropping the puck into play between two opposing players.
3. 1. to acknowledge; admit:

      to face up to the facts.

   2. to meet courageously; confront:

      He refused to face up to his problems.