face-to-face

adverb or adjective

ˈfās-tə-ˈfās 

1

: within each other's sight or presence

met and talked face-to-face

a face-to-face consultation

2

: in or into direct contact or confrontation

came face-to-face with the problem

Synonyms of face-to-face

• personally

Examples of face-to-face in a Sentence

I won't believe that accusation until I meet with him face-to-face and ask him myself

came face-to-face with her lifelong fear of flying even before the plane left the runway

Recent Examples on the Web

The private meeting lasted 55 minutes and marked their first face-to-face conversation in 19 months. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 28 June 2026

The face-to-face meeting came as King Charles underwent treatment for cancer, and triggered speculation that the royal family’s long-running rift might be coming to an end. — Max Foster, CNN Money, 26 June 2026

The last time Charles and Harry met face-to-face was in September 2025 at Charles’s London home, Clarence House. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 26 June 2026

The 2028 release date will put Donkey face-to-face with Paramount's live-action Call of Duty movie, which is due to bow on the same day. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for face-to-face

• aromatase
• oligoclase
• plagioclase
• polymerase
• streptokinase
• triphosphatase
• abase
• airspace
• apace
• backspace
• biface
• birthplace

Kids Definition

face-to-face

adverb or adjective

ˌfās-tə-ˈfās

1

: within each other's close presence

met face-to-face

2

: in or into direct contact or confrontation

face-to-face with a crisis