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

The pair were spotted dining face-to-face at Anton’s in the West Village. —Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025

Minnesota coach Chris Finch said opponents are still trying to hold Gobert from a face-to-face position on the interior when shots go up. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 22 Dec. 2025

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall When a shooting brings a woman face-to-face with her first love—the one who shattered her heart—old passions and buried secrets resurface in their small community. —Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2025

This year, Capricorn season brings us face-to-face with our last chance to learn from Saturn in Pisces. —Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 19 Dec. 2025

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