facet

noun

fac·​et ˈfa-sət 

1

: a particular part or aspect (as of something being contemplated or considered)

Each facet of the problem requires careful analysis.

2

: a small plane surface (as on a cut gem) see brilliant illustration

3

: the external corneal surface of an ommatidium

Houseflies have about 350 facets per eye, while dragonflies have a whopping 30,000.

—Brad Wetzler

4

: a smooth flat circumscribed anatomical surface (as of a bone)

the articular facet of a rib

faceted adjective

or facetted

ˈfa-sə-təd 

Synonyms of facet

• aspect
• side
• hand

Examples of facet in a Sentence

Each facet of the problem requires careful attention.

the different facets of our culture

Which facet of his character is most appealing?

the facets of a diamond

Recent Examples on the Web

San Francisco is 3-7 after dropping three of four to the New York Mets and hasn’t exactly played well in any facet of the game. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026

Epic historical fiction, dark academia, and the quirkiest 90s throwback, each novel showcasing a different facet of the slow burn trope. —Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026

What is not normal, and what is stunningly incompetent, is just about every other facet of the administration’s conduct of the war. —Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026

Commander Reid Wiseman As commander, 50-year-old Reid Wiseman is the astronaut who ensures all facets of the mission work seamlessly, from crew communication to decisions made during spaceflight. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French facette "individual surface (of an object with many surfaces, as a gem)," going back to Middle French fasette, from face face entry 1 + -ette -ette

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing facet

• star facet

Rhymes for facet

• basset
• dacite
• tacit

Kids Definition

facet

noun

fac·​et ˈfas-ət 

1

: a small plane surface (as on a cut gem)

2

: a definable aspect of something

explained all facets of the company

3

: the surface of a functional unit of vision of a compound eye

faceted

ˈfas-ət-əd

adjective

Medical Definition

facet

noun

fac·​et ˈfas-ət 

ˌfa-ˈset

: a smooth flat or nearly flat circumscribed anatomical surface

the articular facet of a bone

faceted adjective

or facetted

ˈfas-ət-əd