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

• personally
• tête-à-tête

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

In 1991, Bush and his Secretary of State James Baker also welcomed Palestinians to the multilateral Madrid conference, the first face-to-face meeting between Israeli and Palestinian leaders. —Peter L. Hahn / Made By History, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025

Albert forced himself into the cabinet and got face-to-face with the plumber under the sink. —Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025

Photograph: vm/Getty Images To meet repair experts face-to-face and learn how to fix your gadgets, look for a repair café in your area. —Simon Hill, WIRED, 5 Feb. 2025

The show features hands-on demonstrations, hundreds of home-improvement products and services exhibitors, plant sales and face-to-face consultations with experts and shopping. —Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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