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

• personally
• tête-à-tête

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

Today, when much of romance is mediated through dating apps and text messages, watching face-to-face intimacy can also be nostalgic, Smith said. —Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2025

Witkoff also spoke with Araghchi face-to-face toward the end of the meeting. —Filip Timotija, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2025

In fact, in a survey by the Harvard Business Review, 95% of respondents said face-to-face meetings are key to successful long-term relationships in the workplace. —Shawn Pierce, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025

Meloni is the first European leader to meet face-to-face with Trump since the U.S. president announced the 20 percent tariffs on all European Union (EU) exports on April 2. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for face-to-face

• aromatase
• hydrogenase
• nitrogenase
• oligoclase
• oxygenase
• plagioclase
• polymerase
• streptokinase
• triphosphatase
• abase
• airspace
• apace

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