facial

1 of 2

adjective

fa·​cial ˈfā-shəl 

1

: of or relating to the face

facial expressions

2

: concerned with or used in improving the appearance of the face

facially

ˈfā-shə-lē 

adverb

facial

2 of 2

noun

: a treatment to improve the condition or appearance of the facial skin

Examples of facial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Biometric security analyses like facial recognition and iris scanning have also been shown to exhibit biases that undermine their accuracy. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026

Lynch was taken to a local hospital to be treated for facial fractures, a cranial leak and other injuries. —Katie Houlis, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026

Noun

The eco-conscious Living Spa at hotel El Monte Sagrado (from $227 per night) offers Ayurveda consultations, tarot readings, and tantric meditation, as well as pampering facials and massages. —Jen Murphy, Outside, 1 Feb. 2026

Some of us had meticulous regimens (involving facials, veneers, and multiple hair and makeup trials) while others went with the flow (booking a hair appointment the day of). —Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 31 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin faciālis "face-to-face, direct," from Latin faciēs "appearance, face entry 1" + -ālis -al entry 1

Noun

derivative of facial entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1746, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1910, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing facial

• facial index
• facial nerve

Rhymes for facial

• glacial
• racial
• spacial
• spatial
• bifacial
• biracial
• palatial
• postglacial
• preglacial
• subglacial
• craniofacial
• interfacial

Kids Definition

facial

1 of 2 adjective

fa·​cial ˈfā-shəl 

: of or relating to the face

facially

-shə-lē 

adverb

facial

2 of 2 noun

: a treatment to improve the condition of the skin of the face

Medical Definition

facial

1 of 2 adjective

fa·​cial ˈfā-shəl 

1

: of, relating to, or affecting the face

facial neuralgia

2

: concerned with or used in improving the appearance of the face

3

: relating to or being the buccal and labial surface of a tooth

facially

-shə-lē 

adverb

facial

2 of 2 noun

1

: a treatment to improve the appearance of the face

2

: a facial part (as a nerve or artery)

Legal Definition

facial

adjective

fa·​cial

: involving or apparent from the face of something (as a statute)

facial discrimination

a facial challenge to the law

facially adverb