A2 noun Neutral #316 most common

face

/feɪs/

The front part of the head from the forehead to the chin, including the eyes, nose, and mouth. It is the primary part of the body used for expressing emotions and identifying individuals.

Examples

3 of 5
1

She had a bright smile on her face when she saw the gift.

She had a bright smile on her face when she saw the gift.

2

The photograph provides a clear view of the subject's face.

The photograph provides a clear view of the subject's face.

3

Stop making that funny face at me!

Stop making that funny face at me!

Word Family

Noun
face
Verb
face
Adverb
facially
Adjective
facial
Related
facelift
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Memory Tip

Think of the 'face' of a clock—it is the part you look at to get the most important information, just like a person's face.

Quick Quiz

He splashed some cold water on his ___ to wake up in the morning.

Correct!

The correct answer is: face

Examples

1

She had a bright smile on her face when she saw the gift.

everyday

She had a bright smile on her face when she saw the gift.

2

The photograph provides a clear view of the subject's face.

formal

The photograph provides a clear view of the subject's face.

3

Stop making that funny face at me!

informal

Stop making that funny face at me!

4

Research shows that humans are biologically programmed to recognize a human face from birth.

academic

Research shows that humans are biologically programmed to recognize a human face from birth.

5

We need to discuss this issue face-to-face rather than over email.

business

We need to discuss this issue face-to-face rather than over email.

Word Family

Noun
face
Verb
face
Adverb
facially
Adjective
facial
Related
facelift

Common Collocations

wash your face wash your face
familiar face familiar face
round face round face
face mask face mask
pale face pale face

Common Phrases

make a face

make a face (to show dislike or for a joke)

lose face

lose face (to lose respect)

face to face

face to face (in person)

Often Confused With

face vs phase

'Phase' is a stage in a process, while 'face' is a part of the body; they sound similar but have different meanings.

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Usage Notes

The noun 'face' is most commonly used for the body part, but it can also refer to the front surface of an object, such as the face of a clock.

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Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 'face' when they should use 'head' (e.g., saying 'my face hurts' when they have a headache).

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'face' of a clock—it is the part you look at to get the most important information, just like a person's face.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Old French word 'face', which comes from the Latin 'facies', meaning appearance, form, or shape.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun: face (singular), faces (plural) Often used with the preposition 'on' (e.g., 'on her face')
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Cultural Context

In many Asian cultures, 'saving face' is a crucial social concept involving maintaining one's honor and reputation.

Quick Quiz

He splashed some cold water on his ___ to wake up in the morning.

Correct!

The correct answer is: face

Related Words

to

A1

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.

and

A1

A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

that

A1

This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

for

A1

Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.

not

A1

A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.

with

A1

A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.

he

A1

A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

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