face
- noun
- /feɪs/
- After the vote, creationists tried to save face by insisting they had scored a victory.
- save face
- lose face
- loss of face
Examples
-
In diplomatic negotiations, both parties must prioritize saving face to maintain their standing.
-
In the end, a compromise was reached, one that saved face for everyone but left no one happy.
Academic text (2008) -
I see the joy on your face, hear the sadness in the music.
Academic text (2017) -
I must say, Susan, your courage in the face of the enemy is inspiring.
-
Territorial sovereignty is diminished in the face of human necessity.
-
Vengeance is both rational and morally justifiable in the face of injustice.
-
He lost face in the community after the scandal was revealed.
-
To avoid losing face, she decided to apologize publicly for her mistake.
Antonyms
Idioms
- Offensive
Act in a way that shows strong disrespect and insults someone
- Informal
Accept and deal with unpleasant results or criticism for something you did
- Informal
A strong feeling you can clearly see on someone's face
- Informal
Disappear completely so no one knows what happened and no sign is left
- Offensive
A person who is attractive but thought to have little intelligence or real skill
Deliberately do something that hurts you more than the person you want to punish
- Informal
Someone or something disappears completely so nobody knows where they are
- Informal
To keep your face looking serious and not show you are laughing
A face that clearly shows success and happiness
Compounds
- Specialized
A number printed on a ticket, coin, or bond that shows its official worth
- Specialized
Surgery that tightens the skin on the face and removes extra tissue to make someone look younger
A covering worn over the nose and mouth to protect against dust, germs, or pollution
- Specialized
A computer system that identifies a person by comparing their face with saved photos
- Specialized
Surgery that removes loose skin and tightens the face to look younger
- US
A set of metal bars attached to the front of a football helmet that protects the player's face
- Offensive
A slang, often rude, name for a mask people wear over their mouth and nose
- Informal
A check to see if you can keep a serious face when something is funny
- South African
A small plant with thick leaves that looks like a stone and has yellow or white flowers
- Specialized
The turn between two edges that meet at a corner on a flat side of a 3D shape
- Specialized
Computer systems check who a person is by scanning their face
A company that sells certificates and promises to pay a fixed amount on a set date
- Slang
A cartoon face with an open mouth and wide eyes used in internet memes to show real or fake excitement
How Respected
Surface Forms
Etymology
Face comes from Latin facies 'appearance', and this idea of public appearance became a word for reputation. That's why keeping or losing face means keeping or losing respect.