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
Recent Examples on the Web
Neither country has specified when or where the visit would take place, nor what would be on the agenda of any potential face-to-face.
—
Jake Kwon, CNN, 11 Sep. 2023
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping opted not to come this year, ensuring no tough face-to-face conversations with their American and European counterparts.
—Krutika Pathi and Adam Schreck, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2023
At the simplest level, face-to-face meetings generate a lot more contextual information than, say, texts and phone calls do, allowing both parties to better interpret the tone and reception of a message.
—Eamon Barrett, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2023
North Korean leaders have long valued face-to-face meetings with world leaders as signs of international importance and for domestic propaganda purposes.
—Hyung-Jin Kim and Kim Tong-Hyung, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Sep. 2023
But will name recognition and his face-to-face charm offensive boost him in the polls?
—Gabriella Abdul-Hakim, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2023
Children’s health experts generally take a less-is-better stance on children’s screen time, instead encouraging physical activity and personal, face-to-face interactions.
—Linda Searing, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Sep. 2023
Correspondent David Pogue talks with experts who discuss why exchanges on the Internet can devolve into hateful, spiteful rages and name-calling that would never be acceptable when talking face-to-face.
—CBS News, 31 Aug. 2023
Her daughter Dasha told Good Morning America that her mother came face-to-face with the shark before she was attacked.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 31 Aug. 2023
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Jake Kwon, CNN, 11 Sep. 2023
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping opted not to come this year, ensuring no tough face-to-face conversations with their American and European counterparts.
—Krutika Pathi and Adam Schreck, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2023
At the simplest level, face-to-face meetings generate a lot more contextual information than, say, texts and phone calls do, allowing both parties to better interpret the tone and reception of a message.
—Eamon Barrett, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2023
North Korean leaders have long valued face-to-face meetings with world leaders as signs of international importance and for domestic propaganda purposes.
—Hyung-Jin Kim and Kim Tong-Hyung, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Sep. 2023
But will name recognition and his face-to-face charm offensive boost him in the polls?
—Gabriella Abdul-Hakim, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2023
Children’s health experts generally take a less-is-better stance on children’s screen time, instead encouraging physical activity and personal, face-to-face interactions.
—Linda Searing, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Sep. 2023
Correspondent David Pogue talks with experts who discuss why exchanges on the Internet can devolve into hateful, spiteful rages and name-calling that would never be acceptable when talking face-to-face.
—CBS News, 31 Aug. 2023
Her daughter Dasha told Good Morning America that her mother came face-to-face with the shark before she was attacked.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 31 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'face-to-face.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Dictionary Entries Near face-to-face
Cite this Entry
“Face-to-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/face-to-face. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
face-to-face
adverb or adjectiveˌfās-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
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