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

Despite its sweeping celestial setting, the whole series was constrained, relying on face-to-face conversations in tiny offices to convey plot, and action scenes that often looked like scuffles in a blocky, dark, half-convincing cave. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026

Health workers tracked down nearly 900 people who had been exposed and made some 18,500 face-to-face visits to check on them. — Michelle A. Williams, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026

Getting a foot in the door can sometimes feel like an impossible endeavor, which makes the opportunity to meet industry professionals face-to-face all the more valuable. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026

Venus’ retrograde journey may have very well brought you face-to-face with matters concerning your family of origin or nationality. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 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