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

The three questions in this study were included in a random-sample, face-to-face survey of 1,012 Israelis, with fieldwork by PORI, Sept. 8-22, before the bulk of Israel's campaign against Hezbollah and Iran's subsequent missile attack this week. —Gary Langer, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2024

Employers argue that face-to-face interactions foster collaboration, creativity and problem-solving in ways that virtual environments cannot replicate. —Jack Kelly, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024

Once the proposal has been accepted, production arranges for the pair to meet face-to-face for the first time. —Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 2 Oct. 2024

But candidates avoided face-to-face encounters in the 1964, 1968 and 1972 campaigns. —David Jackson, USA TODAY, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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