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 day before Putin speaking at the conference rejecting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's offer of face-to-face talks. —ABC News, 7 June 2026

Golbert, whose staff oversees the cases of more than 600 adults under guardianship, said face-to-face meetings are standard practice in his office prior to appointment and are crucial to properly assessing the person’s needs. —Emily Hoerner, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026

Watch this Go face-to-face with the person of the moment. —Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 1 June 2026

The researchers focused on a practice known as proximal intercessory prayer (PIP), defined as in-person, face-to-face prayer directed toward another individual’s well-being. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for face-to-face

• aromatase
• oligoclase
• plagioclase
• polymerase
• streptokinase
• triphosphatase
• abase
• airspace
• apace
• backspace
• biface
• birthplace

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