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

Trump is known to make important decisions based on his personal impression on people’s characters, and Machado meeting him face-to-face while Rodríguez only got a phone call plays in her favor. —Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026

There were no face-to-face talks with Liverpool, and Alonso was never offered the job. —The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026

Brown was slow to get off the field following the play, prompting Sirianni to run yelling down the sideline and eventually confront the three-time Pro Bowl selection face-to-face. —Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026

The last time Charles and Harry saw one another face-to-face was last September, when Harry visited the King’s London home, Clarence House, for just under an hour. —Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026

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