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face

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verb American English pronunciation: face /feɪs/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theyface
he/she/itfaces
present participlefacing
past tensefaced
past participlefaced
 
  1. 1
    [transitive] to be opposite someone or something so that your face or front is toward them

    The two men faced each other across the table.

    I turned to face the sun.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  faceThesaurus entry for this meaning of face
    1. a.
      [intransitive/transitive] if something faces in a particular direction, its front is pointing or turned in that direction
      face onto/toward/away from:

      The building faces onto a busy road.

      face upward/downward/inward/outward:

      Keep your hands by your sides with the palms facing inward.

      face north/south etc.:

      My dining room faces north.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  faceThesaurus entry for this meaning of face
  2. 2
    [transitive] if you face a problem, or if it faces you, it is likely or certain to happen and you have to deal with it

    The family is behind with the rent and now faces eviction.

    How to combine a career and children is a dilemma facing many women.

    be faced with/by something:

    The country is now faced with the prospect of war.

    face doing something:

    Many of the shipyard workers face losing their jobs.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  faceThesaurus entry for this meaning of face
  3. 3

    face

     or

    face up to

     [transitive] to accept that a bad situation exists and try to deal with it

    We have to face the reality that, so far, the treaty has had little effect.

    I decided I must face up to the truth.

    face (up to) the fact that:

    She had to face the fact that she still missed him.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  faceThesaurus entry for this meaning of face
  4. 4
    [transitive] to talk to someone or to deal with someone although this is difficult or embarrassing

    I’ll never be able to face her again after what happened.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  faceThesaurus entry for this meaning of face
  5. 5
    [transitive] to have to compete against a person or team

    The Bruins face the Flyers in the playoffs.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  faceThesaurus entry for this meaning of face

phrases

This is the American English definition of face. View British English definition of face.

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