face value

noun

1

: the value indicated on the face (as of a postage stamp or a stock certificate)

2

: the apparent value or significance

if their remarks may be taken at face value

Examples of face value in a Sentence

We paid $100 for tickets that had a face value of $50.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ticket prices float with demand, the way airline seats and concert tickets do, which means that face values that start at a federation-only $60 and climb to $7,875 for a Category 1 seat at the final. —Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 19 June 2026

Athlete Creditor reports having bought over 5,100 claims with a face value exceeding $330 million. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 17 June 2026

So, at face value, this deal looks like a full-out win for the Flyers, who are on the verge of solidifying their goaltending long-term with an extension incoming for Dan Vladar on July 1. —Corey Pronman, New York Times, 16 June 2026

Even taking the numbers at face value, Hilcorp remains one of the oil industry’s top methane emitters, according to a ProPublica analysis of EPA data. —Alex Cuadros, ProPublica, 16 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for face value

• eigenvalue
• undervalue

Kids Definition

face value

noun

1

: the value indicated on the face of something (as a coin, bill, bond, or insurance policy)

2

: the apparent worth or significance

can't take what he says at face value

Legal Definition

face value

noun

: the value indicated on the face of something (as a stock certificate)