First Known Use: 1835
in the meaning defined at sense 1
See Words from the same yeardenial, disaffirmance, disavowal, disownment, recantation, renunciation, repudiation, retraction;
reconsideration, retreat, second thought;
hesitation, indecision, irresolution, shilly-shallying, vacillation, wavering, wobbling (also wabbling);
change of heart;
: the act of turning to face in the opposite direction
: a complete change of attitude or opinion
See words that rhyme with about-face Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for about-face Spanish Central: Translation of about-face Nglish: Translation of about-face for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of about-face for Arabic speakers
What made you want to look up about-face? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Difficult Spelling Words Quiz
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Can you spell these 15 tricky spelling words?
Take the quiz
Do you know these words that come from names?
Take the quiz
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz
Build a chain of words by adding one letter at a time.
Play the game
