n.1. a. The surface of the front of the head from the top of the forehead to the base of the chin and from ear to ear.
b. A person: We saw many new faces on the first day of classes.
2. A person's countenance: a happy face.
3. A contorted facial expression; a grimace: made a face at the prospect of eating lemons.
4. a. A countenance of a certain complexion or form. Used in combination: babyface; frogface.
b. A person having such a countenance. Used in combination: paleface.
5. a. Facial makeup: put one's face on.
b. Facial makeup of a certain color, usually worn for the purpose of impersonating or mocking people of a particular racial or ethnic group. Used in combination: applied blackface.
c. Assumed characteristics, such as clothing or behavior, intended to impersonate or mock people of a particular racial or ethnic group. Used in combination: dressing up in yellowface.
6. Outward appearance: the modern face of the city.
7. a. Value or standing in the eyes of others; prestige: did their best to save face after they were shown to be wrong; did not want to lose face by being unable to live up to his reputation.
b. Self-assurance; confidence: The team managed to maintain a firm face even in times of great adversity.
8. Effrontery; impudence: had the face to question my judgment.
9. The most significant or prominent surface of an object, especially:
a. The surface presented to view; the front.
b. A façade.
c. Outer surface: the face of the earth.
d. A marked side: the face of a clock; the face of a playing card.
e. The right side, as of fabric.
f. An exposed, often precipitous surface of rock.
10. A planar surface of a geometric solid.
11. Any of the surfaces of a rock or crystal.
12. The end, as of a mine or tunnel, at which work is advancing.
13. The appearance and geologic surface features of an area of land; topography.
14. Printing a. A typeface or range of typefaces.
b. The raised printing surface of a piece of type.