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

With her mother capturing the encounter on camera, Myah recently came face-to-face with the unexpected visitor in her Riverside Park neighborhood. — Joan Murray, CBS News, 21 June 2026

Already used by luxury houses including Chanel and a network of international suppliers, the technology aims to preserve the visual precision and spontaneity of face-to-face meetings for design reviews, fittings and product development. — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 19 June 2026

Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland met face-to-face ahead of the Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament final at All Elite Wrestling's (AEW) Forbidden Door pay-per-view on June 28. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026

Some professions naturally translate to remote work, while others depend on face-to-face interaction. — Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 19 June 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