SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

face facts

variants: or face the fact(s)

Definition of face facts

:to admit that something is true

The time has come to face the fact that the government's policies aren't working.

The time has come to face the facts and admit that the government's policies aren't working.

Let's face facts—our plan isn't working.

Word by Word Definitions

face play

: the front part of the head that in humans extends from the forehead to the chin and includes the mouth, nose, cheeks, and eyes
: the face as a means of identification : countenance
: presence, sight

: to confront impudently
: to line near the edge especially with a different material
: to cover the front or surface of

See the full definition of face

fact play facts

: a thing done: such as
: feat
: crime

See the full definition of fact

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up face facts? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

chary

play

cautious about doing something

Words at Play

alt-59e50f5a357b4

'Spox' May Go On The Record

From newsroom lingo to the mainstream

alt-59e506c5c02ae

C'mon, Of Course 'Myriad' Is a Noun

For a myriad of reasons

alt-59e12097b419d

'Gamut' and 'Gambit' (and 'Gauntlet' Too)

Know when to use (or run) each.

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Some borrowed words don't get returned

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

knupfer-painting-solon-before-croesus

Forms of Government Quiz

Name that government! Or something like that.

Take the quiz

rembrandt-painting-a-young-scholar-and-his-tutor

Original Meanings Quiz

A quiz for the pedantic and those annoyed by them!

Take the quiz

Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Take the quiz

Bee Cubed

Listen to the words and spell through all three levels.

Play the game