face value

noun

1

: the value indicated on the face (as of a postage stamp or a stock certificate)

2

: the apparent value or significance

if their remarks may be taken at face value

Examples of face value in a Sentence

We paid $100 for tickets that had a face value of $50.

Recent Examples on the Web

There are also listings on secondary ticket sites that are seemingly going for less than face value for some GA and VIP passes, but watch out for the extra fees. —Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024

As of the date of death, the estate received a step-up in basis to the total face value even if the bond was purchased at a discount—the gain was tax-free and could be used to pay estate taxes. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024

Secondary market forces also show where Denver has its tickets priced, with the average secondary market ticket going for 35% above face value. —Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2024

For tax purposes, MLB is valuing the Ohtani contract at about $46 million a year, far less than the $70 million face value, reflecting the devaluation of deferred pay. —Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2024

There were tickets Tuesday priced as low as $48 in Section 212 (upper east side) with a face value of $83. —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2023

The face value is also referred to as the par value or the principal. —Chris Taylor, wsj.com, 7 Nov. 2023

For example, Super Bowl tickets had a face value of $7,500 with Vet Tix charging $14 for delivery. —Bruce Rogers, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024

While advertising revenue was sluggish in 2023, iHeartMedia improved its balance sheet by reducing the face value of its debt from $1.5 billion to about $900 million, saving it about $43 million in annual interest payments. —Glenn Peoples, Billboard, 13 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

face value

noun

1

: the value indicated on the face of something (as a coin, bill, bond, or insurance policy)

2

: the apparent worth or significance

can't take what he says at face value

Legal Definition

face value

noun

: the value indicated on the face of something (as a stock certificate)