face-to-face

adverb or adjective

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Those polled took part in face-to-face interviews with a structured questionnaire. Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025 Abaraonye’s attitude drew particular ire due to the fact that the president-elect debated Kirk face-to-face within the walls of the Oxford Union just months before the assassination. Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2025 Contestants form bonds and make compatibility decisions while chatting through a wall, eventually getting engaged before meeting face-to-face for the first time. Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025 Private communications may have to be face-to-face. Mark Mondier, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for face-to-face

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of face-to-face was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Face-to-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/face-to-face. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on face-to-face

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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